Ontholestes tessellatus (Geoffroy, 1785)
A very distinctive Rove Beetle, Ontholestes tessellatus is rarely encountered unless deliberately looked for and to find it and even then, is often extremely fast and agile in making its escape. Perhaps the best place to find it is in, or under carrion, but there is confusion with the similar Ontholestes murinus. Seemingly not common in Nottinghamshire and not even recorded from the Sherwood Forest NNR until 2009. A large species, the ones photographed both measured around 20mm.
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Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Ontholestes tessellatus
 
 
 
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Pauline Bradford. Gary Joynt. Stephanie Hancock.

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) . .
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