COLEOPTERA
K.N.A. Alexander
with additions from P.A. Gainey; water beetles by A.P. Foster, updated by D.T. Bilton
Beetle recording has a long history in Cornwall, with specialist entomologists resident in the area for long periods, e.g. J.H. Keys of Plymouth at the turn of the twentieth century and R.T. Bannister of Penzance more recently, and its heritage of rare species has attracted people from all over Britain. The fauna is therefore reasonably well known, although the occasional species is still added to the Cornish list, particularly species associated with one of Cornwall’s most neglected habitats - pasture-woodlands and historic parks (for example, see Alexander, 1991a). No modern review of Cornwall’s beetle fauna is however available.
Cornwall is most famous for its weevils (Curculionidae) which include the western oceanic Cathormiocerus genus (on sea cliffs, especially on the West Lizard) and Anchonidium unguiculare (in Helford Woods) for which Cornwall is of international importance. The Lizard has long been known as the place for the click beetle Cardiophorus vestigialis (Elateridae) and is also well-known for its rare rove beetles (Staphylinidae).
The key management issues are:
Distributional and ecological information is heavily drawn from A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain, Parts 1 & 2 (Hyman & Parsons, 1992 and 1994). Almost full coverage is given for British RDB and Nationally Scarce (Notable A) species, while Nationally Scarce (Notable B) species are only included in full account form (section 2) where they are known to be rare in Cornwall. Notable species, which have been recorded in Cornwall since 1970, have been fully listed in section 3. A few Notable A species have been excluded due to their being widespread in Cornwall and under no particular threat. Cornwall Scarce (CS) species are also included where particularly significant (section 4). The water beetle categories follow those provided by G.N. Foster in Hyman & Parsons (1992).
1. RDB Coleoptera
Amara famelica a ground beetle
Carabus intricatus Blue Ground Beetle
Cicindela hybrida A tiger beetle
Dromius quadrisignatus A ground beetle
Dromius vectensis A ground beetle
Harpalus honestus A ground beetle
Harpalus melancholicus A ground beetle
Ophonus puncticollis A ground beetle
Ophonus sabulicola A ground beetle
Lebia cruxminor A ground beetle
Lionychus quadrillum A ground beetle
Poecilus kugelanni A ground beetle
Graptodytes flavipes A water beetle
Agabus brunneus A water beetle
Hydaticus transversalis A diving beetle
Dytiscus dimidiatus A great diving beetle
Hydrochus nitidicollis A water beetle
Ochthebius poweri A water beetle
Hydraena pygmaea A water beetle
Dryops striatellus A water beetle
Margarinotus obscurus A hister beetle
Saprinus virescens A hister beetle
Silpha obscura A carrion beetle
Stenichnus godarti A stone beetle
Stenichnus poweri A stone beetle
Actocharis readingi A rove beetle
Astenus procerus A rove beetle
Astenus serpentinus A rove beetle
Atheta laevicauda A rove beetle
Halobrecta princeps A rove beetle
Lathrobium rufonitidum A rove beetle
Lomechusa paradoxa A rove beetle
Phytosus nigriventris A rove beetle
Onthophagus fracticornis A scarab beetle
Brindalus porcicollis A scarab beetle
Cardiophorus vestigialis A click beetle
Microrhagus pygmaeus A false click beetle
Hippodamia tredecimpunctata A ladybird
Atomaria scutellaris A silken fungus beetle
Langelandia anophthalmia A cylindrical bark beetle
Hypulus quercinus A false darkling beetle
Mordellistena neuwaldeggiana A tumbling flower beetle
Mordellistena parvula A tumbling flower beetle
Meloe brevicollis An oil beetle
Gracilia minuta A long horn beetle
Cassida nebulosa A tortoise beetle
Macroplea appendiculata A reed beetle
Ochrosis ventralis A flea beetle
Psylliodes hyoscyami Henbane Flea Beetle
Anchonidium unguiculare A ground weevil
Barypeithes pyrenaeus A ground weevil
Cathormiocerus attaphilus A ground weevil
Cathormiocerus maritimus A ground weevil
Cathormiocerus myrmecophilus A ground weevil
Ceutorhynchus parvulus A weevil
Coniocleonus nebulosus A weevil
Cleopomiarus plantarum A weevil
Orchestes testaceus A flea weevil
2. Nationally Scarce Coleoptera
Acupalpus flavicollis A ground beetle
Agonum sexpunctatum A ground beetle
Badister peltatus A ground beetle
Bembidion nigropiceum A ground beetle
Bradycellus distinctus A ground beetle
Dyschirius nitidus A ground beetle
Harpalus tenebrosus A ground beetle
Ophonus ardosiacus A ground beetle
Ophonus melletii A ground beetle
Ophonus punctatulus A ground beetle
Masoreus wetterhalli A ground beetle
Nebria complanata A ground beetle
Pterostichus aethiops A ground beetle
Stenolophus skrimshiranus A ground beetle
Tachyporus formosus A rove beetle
Lucanus cervus The Stag Beetle
Amphimallon ochraceus A chafer
Clambus nigrellus A clambid beetle
Agrilus laticornis A jewel beetle
Aphanisticus pusillus A jewel beetle
Athous campyloides A click beetle
Ampedus elongantulus A click beetle
Calambus bipustulatus A click beetle
Melasis buprestoides A false click beetle
Platycis minutus A net-winged beetle
Thymalus limbatus A peltid beetle
Aplocnemus nigricornis A malachite beetle
Phloeophilus edwardsii A malachite beetle
Epuraea distincta A sap beetle
Rhizophagus nitidulus A rhizophagid beetle
Rhizophagus picipes A rhizophagid beetle
Platynaspis luteorubra A ladybird
Mycetophagus piceus A hairy fungus beetle
Mycetophagus quadriguttatus A hairy fungus beetle
Melandrya caraboides A false darkling beetle
Prionus coriarius Sawyer Beetle
Leptura aurulenta Hornet Beetle
Aphthona nigriceps A flea beetle
Cassida hemisphaerica A tortoise beetle
Chrysolina graminis A leaf beetle
Cryptocephalus frontalis A leaf beetle
Donacia sparganii A reed beetle
Longitarsus agilis A flea beetle
Longitarsus obliteratoides A flea beetle
Longitarsus rutilus A flea beetle
Mantura chrysanthemi A flea beetle
Phyllotreta striolata Striped Turnip Flea Beetle
Choragus sheppardi A fungus weevil
Protapion schoenherri A weevil
Melanobaris laticollis A weevil
Sirocalodes quercicola A weevil
Trachyphloeus rectus A ground weevil
Trichosirocalus horridus A weevil
3. A list of Notable (N), Notable A (NA), Notable B (NB) and Insufficiently Known (RDBK) terrestrial beetle species not mentioned in the main text but recorded in Cornwall since 1970.
The status is as is given in Hyman & Parsons (1992 and 1994) and the taxonomy as in Duff (2008).
Apionidae (Weevils)
Aizobius sedi (Germar) VC1, VC2 NB
Catapion pubescens (Kirby) VC1 NB
Cyanapion gyllenhalii (Kirby) VC1 NB
Diplapion stolidum (Germar) VC1 NB
Protapion dissimile (Germar) VC1 NB
Squamapion vicinum (Kirby) VC1 NB
Cantharidae (Soldier Beetles)
Malthinus balteatus Suffrian VC1, VC2 NB
Malthodes guttifer Kiesenwetter VC2 NB
Rhagonycha translucida (Krynicki) VC1, VC2 NB
Carabidae (Ground Beetles)
Acupalpus exiguus Dejean VC1 NB
Aepus marinus (Ström) VC1, VC2 NB
Aepus robinii (Laboulbène) VC1, VC2 NB
Agonum nigrum Dejean VC2 NB
Amara equestris (Duftschmid) VC1 NB
Amara fulva (Müeller, O.F.) VC1 NB
Amara lucida (Duftschmid) VC1 NB
Badister dilatatus Chaudoir VC1 NB
Badister unipustulatus Bonelli VC1 NB
Bembidion gilvipes Sturm VC1 NB
Bembidion pallidipenne (Illiger) VC1, VC2 NB
Chlaenius nigricornis (Fabricius) VC1, VC2 NB
Cillenus lateralis Samouelle VC1, VC2 NB
Demetrias monostigma Samouelle VC1 NB
Dicheirotrichus obsoletus (Dejean) VC1 NB
Elaphropus parvulus (Dejean) VC2 NB
Elaphrus uliginosus Fabricius VC1 NB
Harpalus serripes (Quensel in Schönherr) VC1 NB
Lebia chlorocephala (Hoffmann) VC1 NB
Pterostichus gracilis (Dejean) VC1 NB
Pterostichus longicollis (Duftschmid) IOS NB
Pterostichus oblongopunctatus (Fabricius) IOS NB
Trechus fulvus Dejean IOS NB
Cerambycidae (Long-horn Beetles)
Aromia moschata (Linnaeus) VC1, VC2 NB
Phytoecia cylindrica (Linnaeus) VC2 NB
Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
Altica ericeti (Allard) VC1 NB
Apteropeda globosa (Illiger) VC2 NB
Bruchus atomarius (Linnaeus) VC1 NB
Calomicrus circumfusus (Marsham) VC1, VC2 NA
Cassida nobuilis Linnaeus IOS, VC1, VC2 NB
Cassida prasina Illiger VC1 NB
Chrysolina haemoptera (Linnaeus) VC1, VC2 NB
Chrysolina marginata (Linnaeus) VC2 NA
Cryptocephalus aureolus Suffrian VC1, VC2 NB
Donacia thalassina Germar VC1 NB
Longitarsus anchusae (Paykull) VC1 NB
Longitarsus tabidus (Fabricius) VC1 NB
Lythraria salicariae (Paykull) VC1, VC2 NB
Mantura rustica (Linnaeus) VC1 NB
Phaedon concinuus Stephens VC1 NB
Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) VC1, VC2 NB
Psylliodes chalcomara (Illiger) VC1 NB
Coccinellidae (Ladybirds)
Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) VC1, VC2 NB
Hyperaspis pseudopustulata Mulsant VC1 NB
Cryptophagidae
Atomaria atra (Herbst.) VC1 N
Atomaria nigriventris Stephens VC1 N
Curculionidae (Weevils)
Acalles ptinoides (Marsham) VC1, VC2 NB
Acalyptus carpini (Fabricius) VC1 NB
Anthonomus ulmi (De Geer) VC1 NB
Barypeithes sulcifrons (Bohemen) VC1, VC2 NB
Caenopsis fissirostris (Walton) VC1 NB
Calosirus terminatus (Herbst.) VC1, VC2 NB
Ceutorhynchus constrichus (Marsham) VC1 NB
Ceutorhynchus rapae Gyllenhal VC1, VC2 NB
Ceutorhynchus resedae (Marsham) VC1 NB
Coeliodes transversealbofasciatus (Goeze) VC2 NB
Cryptorhynchus lapathi (Linnaeus) VC2 NB
Curculio betulae (Stephens) VC1, VC2 NB
Drupenatus nasturtii (Germar) VC1, VC2 NB
Glocianus punctiger (Gyllenhal) VC1, VC2 NB
Gymnetron veronicae (Germar) VC2 NB
Hypera fuscocinerea (Marsham) VC2 NB
Kissophagus hederae (Schmitt) VC1, VC2 NB
Kyklioacalles roboris (Curtis) VC1, VC2 NB
Larinus planus (Fabricius) VC1, VC2 NB
Liparus coronatus (Goeze) VC1 NB
Mecinus circulatus (Marsham) VC1 NB
Microplontus campestris (Gyllenhal) VC1, VC2 NB
Mogulones geographicus (Goeze) VC1 NB
Neliocarus faber (Herbst.) VC1 NB
Orthochaetes insignis (Aubé) VC1, VC2 NB
Orthochaetes setiger (Beck) VC1 NB
Pelenomus canaliculatus (Fåhraeus) VC1 NB
Pelenomus comari (Herbst.) VC2 NB
Pelenomus waltoni (Boheman) VC1, VC2 NB
Phytobius leucogaster (Marsham) VC1 NB
Polydrusus confluens Stephens VC1, VC2 NB
Pselactus spadix (Herbst.) VC1 NB
Rhopalomesites tardyi (Curtis) VC1, VC2 NB
Sibinia primita (Herbst.) VC1, VC2 NB
Sirocalodes mixtus (Mulsant & Rey) VC1, VC2 NB
Sitona waterhousei Walton VC1, VC2 NB
Smicronyx jungermanniae (Reich) VC1, VC2 NB
Trachyphloeus asperatus Boheman VC1 NB
Tychius schneideri (Herbst.) VC1, VC2 NB
Tychius squamulatus Gyllenhal VC1 NB
Dasytidae
Dasytes plumbeus (Müller, O.F.) VC1 NB
Dasytes virens (Marsham) VC1 NB
Dolichosoma lineare (Rossi) VC2 NB
Geotrupidae
Geotrupes mutator (Marsham) VC2 NB
Trypocopris vernalis (Linnaeus) VC1, VC2 NB
Histeridae
Hister bissexstriatus Fabricius VC2 NB
Hydrophilidae (Water Scavenger Beetles)
Cercyon nigriceps (Marsham) VC1 N
Cercyon depressus Stephens VC1 N
Cercyon obsoletus (Gyllenhal) VC1, VC2 N
Cryptopleurum crenatum (Kugelann) IOS N
Latridiidae
Enicmus brevicornis (Mannerheim) VC1 N
Latridius consimilis Mannerheim VC2 N
Melandryidae (False Darkling Beetles)
Abdera flexuosa (Paykull) VC2 NB
Conopalpus testaceus (Olivier) VC1, VC2 NB
Nitidulidae (Sap Beetles)
Cryptarcha strigata (Fabricius) VC2 NB
Meligethes bidentatus Brisout de Barneville VC1 RDBK
Meligethes exilis Sturm VC1 N
Meligethes subrugosus (Gyllenhal) VC1 N
Meligethes umbrosus Sturm VC1 N
Oedemeridae
Oedemera femoralis (Olivier) VC2 NB
Platypodidae
Platypus cylindrus (Fabricius) VC2 NB
Ptiliidae (Featherwing Beetles)
Ptinella denticollis (Fairmaire) VC1 N
Rhynchitidae
Byctiscus betulae (Linnaeus) VC1 NB
Neocoenorrhinus interpunctatus (Stephens) VC1 NB
Scarabaeidae (Chafers, Dung Beetles, etc.)
Aphodius paykulli Bedel VC1, VC2 NB
Aphodius plagiatus (Linnaeus) VC1 NB
Onthophagus nuchicomis (Linnaeus) VC1 NA
Onthophagus vacca (Linnaeus) VC1 NB
Scirtidae
Hydrocyphon deflexicollis (Müller, P.W.J.) VC2 NB
Scraptidae
Trypodendron signatum (Fabricius) VC1, VC2 NB
Silphidae (Carrion Beetles)
Nicrophorus interruptus Stephens VC1, VC2 NB
Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles)
Aleochara moesta Gravenhorst VC1 RDBK
Bledius femoralis (Gyllenhal) VC1 NA
Calodera riparia Erichson VC1 N
Cypha discoidea (Erichson) VC1 NB
Dacrila fallax (Kraatz) VC1 N
Deleaster dichrous (Gravenhorst) VC2 NB
Erichsonius signaticornis (Mulsant & Rey) VC2 NB
Gabrius velox Sharp VC1 NB
Gyrohypnus atratus (Heer) VC2 NB
Gyrophaena lucidüla Erichson VC1 N
Gyrophaena poweri Crotch VC1 RDBK
Gyrophaena strictula Erichson VC1 N
Heterothops dissimilis (Gravenhorst) IOS, VC1 RDBK
Ilyobates nigricollis (Paykull) VC1 RDBK
Lathrobium zetterstedti Rye VC1 NB
Lesteva hanseni Lohse VC1 N
Medon apicalis (Kraatz) VC1 N
Megarthus hemipterus (Illiger) VC2 NA
Myllaena kraatzi Sharp VC1 N
Oligota apicata (Erichson) VC1 N
Omalium rugatum Mulsant & Rey VC1 N
Omalium rugulipenne Rye VC1 RDBK
Paederus fuscipes Curtis VC1 NB
Philonthus fumarius (Gravenhorst) VC1 NB
Quedius fulgidus (Fabricius) VC1 NB
Quedius invreae Gridelli VC2 NB
Quedius microps Gravenhorst VC1 NB
Sepedophilus pedicularis (Gravenhorst) VC1 N
Sepedophilus testaceus (Fabricius) VC1 N
Stenus ater Mannerheim VC1 NB
Stenus nigritulus Gyllenhal VC1 NB
Thinobius brevipennis Kiesenwetter VC1 RDBK
Zyras haworthi Stephens VC2 NA
Tenebrionidae (Darkling Beetles)
Crypticus quisquilius (Linnaeus) VC1 NB
Opatrum sabulosum (Linnaeus) VC1, VC2 NB
4. Locally Scarce Coleoptera
Abraeus perpusillus A hister beetle
Anisotoma humeralis A leiodid beetle
Quedius xanthopus A rove beetle
Epiphanis cornutus A false click beetle
Cantharis lateralis A soldier beetle
Malthodes dispar A soldier beetle
Malthodes mysticus A soldier beetle
Dorcatoma chrysomelina A wood decay beetle
Rhizophagus ferrugineus A rhizophagid beetle
Biphyllus lunatus A false hide beetle
Triplax aenea An erotylid beetle
Cerylon histeriodes A cerylonid beetle
Litargus connexus A hairy fungus beetle
Mycetophagus atomarius A hairy fungus beetle
Phyllobrotica quadrimaculata A leaf beetle
Scolytus intricatus Oak Bark Beetle
Xyleborus saxeseni A bark beetle
5. Notable water beetles recorded in Cornwall since 1960
Stictonectes lepidus (Olivier) NB
Deronectes latus (Stephens) NB
Agabus biguttatus (Olivier) NB
Ilybius guttiger (Gyllenhal) NB
Rhantus grapii (Gyllenhal) NB
Rhantus suturalis (MacLeay) NB
Gyrinus urinator Illiger NB
Hydrochus angustatus Germar NB
Paracymus scutellaris (Rosenhauer) NB
Laccobius atrocephalus Reitter NB
Helochares punctatus Sharp NB
Enochrus affinis (Thunberg) NB
Enochrus bicolor (Fabricius) NB
Chaetarthria seminulum (Herbst) NB
Berosus signaticollis (Charpentier) NB
Ochthebius exsculptus Germar NB
Ochthebius lejolisi Mulsant & Rey NB
Ochthebius marinus (Paykull) NB
Ochthebius nanus Stephens NB
Hydraena minutissima Stephens NB
Hydraena testacea Curtis NB
Oulimnius troglodytes (Gyllenhal) NB
6. Species not seen since the Victoria County History was published in 1906.
6.1. Ground Beetles (Carabidae)
Anisodactylus poeciloides (Stephens) RDB (Rare) and BAP (2007)
Bembidion ephippium (Marsham) Notable A
Diachromus germanus (Linnaeus) Extinct
Ophonus puncticollis (Paykull) RDB3 (Rare)
Ophonus sabulicola (Panzer) RDB 3 (Rare)
Perileptus areolatus (Creutzer) Notable A
6.2. Hister Beetles (Histeridae)
Paromalus flavicornis (Herbst) Local
Halacritus punctum (Aubé) RDBK (Insufficiently known)
6.3. Leiodidae
Agathidium nigrinum Sturm Local
6.4. Rove Beetles (Staphylinidae)
Emus hirtus (Linnaeus) RDB1 (Endangered)
Trichonyx sulcicollis (Reichenbach) RDB2 (Vulnerable)
Batrisodes venustus (Reichenbach) Notable A
6.5. Dung Beetles and Scarabs (Scarabaeidae)
Aphodius scrofa (Fabricius) Extinct
Pleurophorus caesus (Creutzer) Extinct
6.6. Soldier Beetles (Cantharidae)
Podabrus alpinus (Paykull) Local
Malthinus frontalis (Marsham) Notable B
6.7. Hide Beetles (Dermestidae)
Ctesias serra (Fabricius) Notable B
Megatoma undata (Linnaeus) Notable B
6.8. Melyridae
Tillus elongatus (Linnaeus) Notable B
6.9. Nitidulidae
Glischrochilus quadriguttatus (Fabricius) Local
Rhizophagus cribratus Gyllenhal Local
6.10. Erotylidae
Triplax russica (Linnaeus) Notable B
Tritoma bipustulata Fabricius Notable A
6.11. Ciidae
Cis bidentatus (Olivier) Local
Cis setiger Mellié Local
6.12. Mycetophagidae
Mycetophagus multipunctatus Fabricius Local
6.13. Oedemeridae
Ischnomera cyanea (Fabricius) Notable B
6.14. Long-horn Beetles (Cerambycidae)
Acmaeops collaris (Linnaeus) RDB 1 (Endangered)
Leptura fulva (Degeer) RDB 3 (Rare)
Strangalia nigra (Linnaeus) Notable A
6.15. Leaf Beetles (Chrysomelidae)
Agelastica alni (Linnaeus) RDBK (Insufficiently known)
Donacia bicolora Zschach RDB2 (Vulnerable) and BAP (2007)
Longitarsus ferrugineus (Foudras) RDB 1 (Endangered)
Podagrica fuscipes (Fabricius) Notable A
6.16. Weevils (Attelabidae)
Byctiscus populi (Linnaeus) RDB3 (Rare) and BAP (2007)
6.17. Weevils (Curculionidae)
Ceutorhynchus syrites Germar RDB1 (Endangered)
Ceutorhynchus verrucatus Gyllenhal RDB3 (Rare)
Cossonus parallelepipedus (Herbst) Notable B
Limobius borealis (Paykull) Notable A
Rhynchaenus foliorum Mueller Notable A
Xyleborus dispar (Fabricius) Notable B