Ophonus melletii (Heer, 1837/8)
Taxonomy: Adephaga > Carabidae > Ophonus > Metophonus > Ophonus melletii
Common name:
Mellet's Downy-back
Images
Source:
Lech Borowiec
Description
Size: 6-8mm
Basic colour: Mid to dark brown.
Pattern colour: Elytra usually darker than head or pronotum.
Pronotoum: 1.3-1.4 times wide as long. Sides moderately sinuate, with one long or two or three small lateral setae in anterior half. Disc finally but evenly punctured. Base straight, hind angles only slightly obtuse. Basal border usually present at least laterally but sometimes very indistinctly.
Leg colour: Pale brown.
Confusion species: Ophonus parallelus
, Confusion species: Ophonus puncticollis
, Confusion species: Ophonus rufibarbis
, Confusion species: Ophonus schaubergerianus
Basic colour: Mid to dark brown.
Pattern colour: Elytra usually darker than head or pronotum.
Pronotoum: 1.3-1.4 times wide as long. Sides moderately sinuate, with one long or two or three small lateral setae in anterior half. Disc finally but evenly punctured. Base straight, hind angles only slightly obtuse. Basal border usually present at least laterally but sometimes very indistinctly.
Leg colour: Pale brown.
Confusion species: Ophonus parallelus
, Confusion species: Ophonus puncticollis
, Confusion species: Ophonus rufibarbis
, Confusion species: Ophonus schaubergerianus
Biology
Status: Scarce. Local but widespread in England south a line from the Humber to the Severn.
UKBAP Species: Yes
Habitat: Open or semi-shaded habitats on chalky or sandy soils, often on the coast.
Other notes: Elytral shoulders toothed; striae inpunctate, intervals with three or four irregular rows of punctures. Aedeagal apex wide; apical disc protruding dorsally but hardly at all ventrally, not curved in apical view. Wings present.
UKBAP Species: Yes
Habitat: Open or semi-shaded habitats on chalky or sandy soils, often on the coast.
Other notes: Elytral shoulders toothed; striae inpunctate, intervals with three or four irregular rows of punctures. Aedeagal apex wide; apical disc protruding dorsally but hardly at all ventrally, not curved in apical view. Wings present.