Taxonomy
- Adephaga
- Carabidae
- Brachinus
- Brachynidius
- Brachinus sclopeta
Common name
Bombardier Beetle
Images
Source: John Walters
Description
Size: 4.5-7.5mm
Basic colour: Red and blue
Pattern colour: Head and pronotum pale reddish brown, elytra metallic blue, with basal third or more of intervals 1-2 (including scutellum) reddish brown.
Pronotoum: Narrow and slightly elongate, sides sinuate.
Leg colour: Pale yellow-brown.
Confusion species: Brachinus crepitans
Basic colour: Red and blue
Pattern colour: Head and pronotum pale reddish brown, elytra metallic blue, with basal third or more of intervals 1-2 (including scutellum) reddish brown.
Pronotoum: Narrow and slightly elongate, sides sinuate.
Leg colour: Pale yellow-brown.
Confusion species: Brachinus crepitans
Biology
Status: Occasional specimens from Kent and Sussex until 1928. Several found in London since 2005.
UKBAP Species: Yes
Habitat: Waste ground.
Other notes: Elytra broad and short, widest at or just behind middle, finely pubescent; apices without fringe of setae. Wings present.
UKBAP Species: Yes
Habitat: Waste ground.
Other notes: Elytra broad and short, widest at or just behind middle, finely pubescent; apices without fringe of setae. Wings present.
Articles
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(2006), Brachinus sclopeta (Fabricius) (Carabidae) confirmed as a British species The Coleopterist 15(1):29