Ophonus puncticeps (Stephens, 1828)
The Ophonus are a difficult group of seed eating ground beetles to identify and accurate ID is really only obtainable by microscopic examination of the male genitalia (see below) which is characteristic to species. Despite being ground beetles, the easiest way to find them, is by examining the curled up flowers of Wild Carrot, in which they often rest by day. Ophonus beetles all typically have a south-easterly UK distribution and there are several common species. Ophonus puncticeps is one of the commonest, with several of these being found at Warsop Main Pit Top in early September 2011, the first time we had actually looked for them.
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Aedeagus of two males taken on 03/09/11.
 
 
Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Ophonus puncticeps
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton.

You can contribute your own records to help us gain an accurate status of this species in Nottinghamshire. Send an Excel spreadsheet of your records via the 'contact us' link at the top of the homepage.

Updated January 2022

copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) . .
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