But, can anyone help me with this thing. Reminds me of a Silverfish in shape but clearly not that. Is it some baby beetle or something? About 4 mm long. Feeling dense here (but it IS getting a bit late). Thanks!
It looks like one of the rove beetles (family: Staphylinidae) from the sub-family Tachyporinae. You can see the fully formed (but short) elytra which you'll only find on an adult beetle; before that it would have been a larva.
Hey, thanks both. Bill - it certainly does look like that on an internet image search, but I also see there are 9 UK species in this genus. Have seen Mark Telfer's page on Staphs so know which books to buy, but not sure am prepared to take the plunge into this group yet! Perhaps this just needs to remain Sepedophilus sp?
Oh, I take that back. Have just looked at Mark's pages more carefully and have found the key at http://markgtelfer.co.uk/files/2010/06/Joys-keys-to-Tachyporinae-v2.pdf - brilliant! Sounds like a job for after work tonight...
Try this key to Sepedophilus, assuming you can't easily get hold of Peter Hammond's key to the British fauna: http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coleo-net.de%2Fcoleo%2Ftexte%2Fsepedophilus.htm (German original: http://www.coleo-net.de/coleo/texte/sepedophilus.htm) But note this is for the fauna of Germany and neighbouring areas. Haven't checked whether all British species are included, though there's usually complete overlap with our fauna.
Thanks Mark - that's really helpful. I think I'm fairly happy it's in the testaceus / marshami / constans / lusitanicus group, but I might leave it at that. The google translate is pretty good, but struggling, and combined with my almost complete lack of Staphylinid experience, this is probably not a wise combination.
Having said that, I have just worked out that "Vordertarsen" means the front tarsus. Maybe I'll keep going...
Have persevered and happy this is Sepedophilus testaceus, because it has very short elytral hairs, the elytra are monochrome dark brown, length about 4.3mm, front tarsus not inflated.
However, I'm still not sure what the translated key means when it says:
"Sensor less stretched, member 7 is not longer than wide at the end, member. 8-10 clearly across." - Wonder if this is referring to antennal segments?
Also, the sketch of the sternite isn't entirely useful either, at least not to my eyes. Anyway, it's apparently common so reasonably happy the ID is safe. Thanks all for help.
Andy, Yes, it is referring to the antennae. Try this for a translation: "Antennae less elongate, segment 7 is not longer than wide (taking the maximum width at the end), segments 8-10 clearly transverse (i.e. wider than long)."
It looks like one of the rove beetles (family: Staphylinidae) from the sub-family Tachyporinae. You can see the fully formed (but short) elytra which you'll only find on an adult beetle; before that it would have been a larva.
ReplyDeleteStaphs are a big group. Good luck!
I think it could be Sepedophilus immaculatus.
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks both. Bill - it certainly does look like that on an internet image search, but I also see there are 9 UK species in this genus. Have seen Mark Telfer's page on Staphs so know which books to buy, but not sure am prepared to take the plunge into this group yet! Perhaps this just needs to remain Sepedophilus sp?
ReplyDeleteOh, I take that back. Have just looked at Mark's pages more carefully and have found the key at http://markgtelfer.co.uk/files/2010/06/Joys-keys-to-Tachyporinae-v2.pdf - brilliant! Sounds like a job for after work tonight...
ReplyDeleteSepedophilus is right. Happy to look at specimen if you want to send it for ID?
ReplyDeleteTry this key to Sepedophilus, assuming you can't easily get hold of Peter Hammond's key to the British fauna:
ReplyDeletehttp://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coleo-net.de%2Fcoleo%2Ftexte%2Fsepedophilus.htm
(German original: http://www.coleo-net.de/coleo/texte/sepedophilus.htm)
But note this is for the fauna of Germany and neighbouring areas. Haven't checked whether all British species are included, though there's usually complete overlap with our fauna.
Thanks Mark - that's really helpful. I think I'm fairly happy it's in the testaceus / marshami / constans / lusitanicus group, but I might leave it at that. The google translate is pretty good, but struggling, and combined with my almost complete lack of Staphylinid experience, this is probably not a wise combination.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I have just worked out that "Vordertarsen" means the front tarsus. Maybe I'll keep going...
Have persevered and happy this is Sepedophilus testaceus, because it has very short elytral hairs, the elytra are monochrome dark brown, length about 4.3mm, front tarsus not inflated.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm still not sure what the translated key means when it says:
"Sensor less stretched, member 7 is not longer than wide at the end, member. 8-10 clearly across." - Wonder if this is referring to antennal segments?
Also, the sketch of the sternite isn't entirely useful either, at least not to my eyes. Anyway, it's apparently common so reasonably happy the ID is safe. Thanks all for help.
Andy,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is referring to the antennae. Try this for a translation:
"Antennae less elongate, segment 7 is not longer than wide (taking the maximum width at the end), segments 8-10 clearly transverse (i.e. wider than long)."
Thanks Mark - that checks out OK for Sepdeophilus testaceus in my eyes. Cool.
ReplyDelete