Minotaur
Beetle Typhaeus typhoeus
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| The spectacular Minotaur Beetle is an inhabitant of heath and moorlands, having a thinly scattered distribution across the UK. Most members of the Geotrupidae group are dung feeders. They burrow underground, filling the shafts with dung for their larvae to feed on. The males use the long horn-like extensions on the thorax to compete with other males for females, which only have small points in their place. They prefer areas of short turf, especially that grazed by Rabbits. They are relatively common where they occur but according to the NBN Gateway, there are only two known sites in Nottinghamshire, but searching may reveal more around the Dukeries area. The adults over-winter in burrows as pairs and the best time to see this impressive beetle is on warm/mild days from September through to March. | ||
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| Female photographed at Sherwood Forest CP February 2011 | ||
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| Male photographed at Sherwood Heath March 2009 | Burrow entrance, photographed at Budby Common March 2009 | |
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| Male photographed at Budby Common March 2007 | ||
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| Female photographed at Budby Common March 2007 | ||
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| UK distribution of Typhaeus
typhoeus |
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 The UK distribution maps on eakringbirds.com are provided by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN Gateway) Each red square on the map indicates species present in 10km grid squares. Updated September 2011 |
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