Bloody-nosed Beetle ©Bruce Shortland
Bloody-nosed Beetle ©Philip Precey
Bloody-nosed beetle
Scientific name: Timarcha tenebricosa
The common name of the Bloody-nosed beetle derives from its unusual defence mechanism: when threatened, it secretes a distasteful blood-red liquid from its mouth. This flightless beetle can be found on grassland and heathland, and along hedgerows.
Top facts
Stats
Length: 2.0-2.3cmConservation status
Common.
When to see
April to SeptemberAbout
The Bloody-nosed beetle is a large, round, flightless beetle with long legs that can often be seen plodding across paths or through grass. It can be found during the spring and summer in grassland, heathland and along hedgerows. One of our largest 'leaf beetles', adults feed on the leaves of Lady's Bedstraw and related plants, and the larvae can be seen hanging from these species. Adults are mostly active at night.What to look for
The Bloody-nosed beetle is a domed, black beetle with a bluish sheen. The line running down its back gives the impression of separate wing cases, but they are actually fused together and this beetle does not fly; it is quite slow moving, in fact.Where to find
Found in South and Central England, and Wales.Habitats
Did you know?
The Bloody-nosed beetle is so-named because, when threatened, it oozes a red liquid from its face. This 'blood' is distasteful and scares-off would-be predators.Watch
Bloody-nosed beetle (https://vimeo.com/574004467/7018f01a0f)
(c) Tom Hibbert