| Quedius
xanthopus is just one of the Staphylinidae
group. Known more commonly as Rove Beetles,
most of these beetles have their abdominal segments
exposed. The largest example of the group is the Devil's
Coach Horse, a familiar and imposing species. There are
over 1000 species of Staphylinidae in
the UK, most are scavengers and can be found in a variety
of sites. They generally inhabit leaf litter and and
other decaying matter and are good fliers. This species
was found commonly (often in pairs under loose bark) at
Sherwood Forest in October 2008. |