Black Oil Beetle Meloe proscarabaeus (Linnaeus, 1758)
This surprising recent addition to the Sherwood Forest NNR species list, was discovered in an area of Budby SF by Adrian Dutton and his wife on April 2nd 2011. Black Oil Beetles are in decline across the UK with M. proscarabaeus currently described as vulnerable, thought possibly to be linked to the decline in many bee species. The only other Nottinghamshire site for this spectacular beetle, is the grounds of Newstead Abbey, where it can be found around the Cricket pitch and visitor car park.
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Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Meloe proscarabaeus
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. James Glendenning. Adrian Dutton. Sean Tobin. Dave & Veronica McGeever. Andy Lowe. Chloe Ryder. Andrew Skinner. Lee Skudder. Indy Kiemel Greene. Samantha Batty. David Shaw. Nick and Samantha Brownley.

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 2024
 
copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) . .
The Oil Beetle at Sherwood Forest NNR
Beetle Photo Gallery - Thumbnail version
Beetle Photo Gallery - Text version