www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I thought this would be easy to ID but so far it has me stumped. I had assumed that it was some sort of chafer beetle or shield bug but so far I can't find an ID for it. Seen today at Denbies hillside which is chalk grassland in the grass, but it was on the edge of woodland which has a lot of yew/beech.

It has folded it's head over the end of the grass stalk but previously it was normal (flat) and it had a pointed rear.

Any help much appreciated.

Hi Susie,
Could it be an adult male glow worm I wonder? I've never seen one "in the flesh", but the general shape and flattened thorax looks right.

Trev

Hi Susie,

This looks like the Red-breasted Carrion Beetle (Oiceoptoma thoracica) to me.

Kind regards. Mark

Good call Mark. I'll get my coat...

Trev

Thanks for trying anyway, Trev, your help is still appreciated

Thanks Mark, that's smashing and looks to be a good match. I've never seen one of these before. I should have given it a sniff, then I would have known!