Wildlife Review 2023: Beetles

Beetles (Coleoptera) are the third largest order of insects in Britain with over 4000 species recorded. The Dawlish Warren Recording Area has a very modest tally of 388, many of these come from previous studies, the most recent in 2017 using pitfall traps. The number of species found has however continued to grow, with many identifiable from good digital photographs. 

Beetles are however a challenging group, without specimens, as a result identification of several species of the more difficult families e.g. rove beetles, remained undetermined. This year a total of 150 species were identified adding a further 34 species to the site audit. 

Weevils (Curculionidea) are the largest family of beetles, but are unobtrusive with just 14 species found, six of which were however new for site. The last of these, Taeniapion urticarium, a nettle weevil all of 2mm long, found on 15th September, was also new to Devon. The other species discovered for the first time were; Ischnopterapion virens on clover, on 24th January; Cabbage Leaf Weevil Ceutorhynchus contractus and Mecinus pascuorum on Ribwort Plantain on 18th May; Rhinoncus pericarpius on docks on 20th May; and Hypera meles on clover on 27th July. The later coming in at a whopping 4mm, the rest much smaller. 

Mecinus pascuorum - Kevin Rylands

Weevils are diverse in size as well as shape and colour, one of the stranger looking species is the cylindrical wood boring Euophryum confine, found on rotting wood and timber.  A more 'typical' weevil, and common on site, is the Gorse Seed Weevil Exapion ulicis, with broad-nosed species well represented on the dunes by the Marram Weevil Philopedon plagiatum. 

Euophryum confine - Alan Keatley

Other species of note this year included Black Marram Weevil Otiorhynchus atroapterus, Hypera arator on sea-spurrey, Nanophyes marmoratus on Purple Loosestrife and Aspidapion radiolus and Malvapion malvae, both on mallow.

Hypera arator - Alan Keatley

The second largest family are the ground beetles (Carabidae). The Warren is home to many species with the sand dunes and meadows providing idea habitat for these largely terrestrial predators. The exposed geotubes provide an unintended trap for some species, falling below and struggling to get back to the dune vegetation. This enabled some otherwise unnoticed species to be found. Although numerous, identification to species level for some can only be possible with collection and microscopic examination. 

Seventeen species of carabids were found this year including two new for Recording Area. This is not surprising with the difficulty of identification and that historical studies of ground beetles have provided many of the species on the site audit.

The two new species were the nationally scarce Panagaeus bipustulatus on 3rd April and a Clivina collaris under the geotubes on 7th April. 

Panagaeus bipustulatus - Alan Keatley

Other species of note were the largely coastal Bembidion iricolor and Broscus cephalotes, with widespread species such as Common Springtail-stalker Notiophilus biguttatus, Common Sun Beetle Amara aenea, Giant Clock Pterostitus niger, Calcathus melanocephalus, Dyschirius globosus, Paradromius linearis and Trechus quadristriatus.

Broscus cephalotes - Kevin Rylands

Presenting even more of an identification challenge are rove beetles (Staphylinidae). These quick moving beetles are found in all types of habitats. Many remain hidden in vegetation or under stones and driftwood. Seventeen species were recorded this year with three new species identified; the distinctive Hairy Rove Beetle Creophilus maxillosus under a dead gull on 6th August, the nationally scarce coastal Bledius fergussoni on 3rd August and Philonthus cruentator trapped by the geotubes on 5th October. 

Bledius fergussoni - Alan Keatley

Other species recorded included the nationally rare Bledius frisius and Phytosus balticus around the Bight, and widespread species such as Metopsia clypeata, Paederus littoralis, Sepedophilus nigripennis, Tachyporus dispar, Xantholinus longiventris and the familiar Devil's Coach Horse Staphylinus olens.

Bledius frisius - Kevin Rylands

Much easier to find and identify are the mostly colourful and familiar ladybirds (Coccinellidae). A good total of 14 species were recorded with one, a Spotted Marsh Ladybird Coccidula scutellata on 13th August new for the Warren. 

A wintering Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis was the first of the year on 9th January with the first active 7-spot Coccinella 7-punctata and Pine Ladybird Exochumus 4-pustulatus on 7th February and a week later, 24-spot Subcoccinella 24-punctata and Pointed-keeled Ladybird Rhyzobius litura on 14th. 

24-spot Ladybird Subcoccinella 24-punctata - Kevin Rylands

Two-spotted Ladybird Adalia 2-punctata had a good year with the first on 7th April with 16-spot Ladybird Tytthaspis 16-punctata on 15th April and Cream-spotted Ladybird Calvia 14-guttata on 30th May completing the spring emergences.

Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia 14-punctata - Alan Keatley

Into summer and 14-spot Ladybird Propylea 14-punctata was located is the grasslands on 29th June, with Red Marsh Coccidula rufa and 11-spot Ladybird Coccinella undecimpunctata recorded in the dunes on 16th July. An Angle-spotted Ladybird Scymnus frontalis was a good find on 27th July, with 22-spot Ladybird Psyllobora 22-punctata recorded on 6th and the migrant or recently established Adonis Ladybird Hippodamia variegata on 13th.

Only three species of the uniquely shaped click beetles (Elateridae) were recorded this year, but remarkably two were new species for the Recording Area. They were Agriotes sputator on 21st February and Athous haemorrhoidalis on 7th May. The other species, Agrypus murinus was widespread from May.

Agriotes sputator - Alan Keatley

Dung beetles and chafers (Scarabaeidae) are usually unobtrusive residents, the geotubes however trapped many individuals this year. The majority were Dune Scarab Aegialia arenarius and the dung beetle Melinopterus prodromus, but the latter close relative Aphodius fimetarius was recorded new for the Warren on 30th March.  There was a notable emergence of Common Cockchafer aka Maybug Melolontha melolontha on 11th June, with at least 40 seen at dusk. 

Dune Scarab Aegialia arenaria - Alan Keatley

Darkling beetles (Terebrionidae) are a diverse group, often similar to other families, like the dune dwelling Phylan gibbus, common on site and resembling a ground beetle. Other darklings recorded this year, again largely by the geotubes, included Isomira murina and Nalassus laeviotostriatus, and two nationally scarce coastal species, Phaleria cadaverina and new for the Recording Area, Crypticus quisquilius found on 7th April.

Crypticus quisquilius - Alan Keatley

Water-scavengers (Hydrophilidae) are small, mainly black beetles. The majority of the family is aquatic, but at least a third are terrestrial. All the species found this year were terrestrial and under the geotubes. They included Cercyon depressus, C. littoralis, Helophorus brevipalpis and Hydrobius fuscipes.

Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) are a diverse group, so called to their almost exclusively plant-based diet at all ages. New species for the Recording Area included Gastrophysa polygoni on knotgrass on 1st May, Chrysolina hyperici on St. John's-wort on 30th May, Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa on July and Brassy Willow Beetle Phratora vitellinae on 29th July.

Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa - Alan Keatley

Other, often distinctive, species included Bronze Leaf Beetle Chrysolina banksii, Rosemary Beetle C. americana, Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni, Asparagus Beetle Crioceris asparagi, Cryptocephalus pusillis and Galerucella lineola.

Two Cassida beetles included a new species, Green Tortoise Beetle C. viridens on 26th March with Thistle Tortoise Beetle C. rubiginosa on 6th August. Seed beetles tend to be more discreet, although a new species was recorded, Bruchus rufipes on 3rd June.

Part of the Chrysomelidae, as their name suggests, flea beetles (Alticini) are small, jumping beetles. Although difficult to identify, association with a food plant can be useful. Recorded this year Psylliodes marcida on Sea Rocket, P. affinis on Bittersweet, Longitarsus ballotae on Black Horehound and Aphthous nonstriata on Yellow Flag.

Many Longhorn beetles (Cermbycidae) are distinctive, colourful or metallic species often found nectaring on flowers. The first of the year was Common Grammoptera G. ruficornis on Hawthorn on 13th May, followed by Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis on 15th May, Fairy-ring Longhorn Pseudovadonia livida on 20th and Spotted Longhorn Rutpela maculata on 22nd June. A new species, a Black-clouded Longhorn Leiopus nebulosus was recorded to light on 27th June.

Spotted Longhorn Rutpela maculata - Kevin Rylands

Other regular flower visitors are solider beetles (Cantharidae). The once abundant Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva, aka Hogweed Bonking Beetle, had a slightly better year and remain numerous. Sharing the Hogweed, other species included Cantharis pallida, new for the Recording Area on 27th May, C. cryptica, C. rustica, Malthinus flaveolus and Rhagonycha lignosa.

Species from a further dozen families were recorded, including two well known beetles new for the Warren; Common Furniture Beetle Anobium punctatum aka Woodworm on chestnut paling fencing and a male Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca to light on 27th June. Hopefully he found a female on release, there are plenty of snails here to support a population. 

Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca - Kevin Rylands

Other familiar species included the Thick-thighed Pollen Beetle Oedemera nobilis, two close relatives O. femoralis and O. lurida, Red Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis, the carrion beetle Thanatophilus sinuatus, the clown beetle Hypocaccus crassipes, Common Malachite Beetle Malachius bipunctatus and the similar Cordylepherus viridis.

Common Malachite Beetle Malachius bipunctatus - Kevin Rylands

A jewel beetle (Buprestidae) Aphanisticus pusillus on 27th July was a new species and family for the species audit.