This stunning 10mm-13mm long wood-boring beetle, is officially classed
as Regionally Extinct in the UK and it now only occurs here as an
accidental import. But finding any information on Bostrichus
capucinus has proved difficult to research and track down.
There are just three records listed on the NBN Atlas and two of these
are either classed as unconfirmed and/or plausible and relate to
historical records. But there is a more recent record listed from
Staffordshire from 2021, although frustratingly, this record is again
unconfirmed. These records probably represent a fraction of what
actually occurs in the UK and it seems very likely that this beetle
passes by completely unnoticed, purely because those seeing this beetle
are unaware of it's UK status. The ones illustrated below, came out of
wood being soaked before use in a vivarium, after being purchased from a
local pet store and represents the first confirmed occurrence of
Bostrichus capucinus in Nottinghamshire. |
