Agrilinus ater

Alternative names
Aphodius ater
Description

4 to 6 mm. Head black, narrowly expanded laterally in front of eyes, evenly rounded then sinuate to front angles, front margin distinctly curved. Pronotum black, very convex and shining, finely bordered, evenly punctured throughout with large and small punctures. Elytra uniformly black or sometimes obscurely reddish, appearing dull against pronotum. Legs black. Hind tarsi with first segment as long as next three together.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Found in various types of dung as well as decaying vegetable matter.

When to see it

Peak time is April to August.

UK Status

Widespread and quite common in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent and possibly under recorded in our area. 

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
insect - beetle (Coleoptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Scarabaeidae
Records on NatureSpot:
3
First record:
01/05/1992 (Jon Daws)
Last record:
15/04/2022 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records