Recent observations on the Black Oil Beetle Meloe proscarabaeus (Coleoptera: Meloidae) in N. Essex
M. proscarabaeus is generally held to be the commonest species of oil beetle in Britain but in the
author's experience it is infrequent, at least in Essex. Such a number at one time might suggest a
mass emergence, presumably from bee nests in the dune area. A return visit on 13 April 2002 failed
to locate any live beetles or remains, nor were any hymenoptera observed.
On 15 March 2003, a day of bright sunshine but with a cool breeze from the sea, a visit was made
to a similar sandy area at Dovercourt (TM22) but no Meloe were seen. But on 22 March 2003 at the
Naze, a total of 10 (2 females and 8 males) was seen in a similar area to that of 2002. Again,
individuals were observed walking on the sand and feeding on grass seedlings which were held
between the front tarsi. One attempted mating was also observed. All beetles were in bright sunshine,
sheltered from the easterly wind. A search further along the sandy shore towards Stone Point failed
to locate any other Meloe and none were seen on the short turf on the clifftop. On 30 March 2003
the sandy coast at Mam's Beach, Little Oakley was searched but again proved negative for oil
beetles.
Following the observations in 2002, Mark Iley informed the author that on 29 March 2002 he had
seen over 50 M. Scarabaeus on a stretch of sea wall at West Mersea (TM01). The weather was
warm and sunny, but again no possible host Hymenoptera were observed. Following up this
observation in 2003 Nigel Cuming visited the Mersea site on 12 March 2003 without observing
any Meloe, but returning on 25 March 2003 he was rewarded with 8 females and 13 males on the
south-facing landward side of the seawall. Males were observed climbing grass stems to a height
of around 22cm, while females were on the ground feeding on grasses. One mating was also observed,
as were a number of diminutive males measuring around 17mm in length. The temperature was
around 15°C with little breeze.
In view of the current interest in oil beetles (Ramsay 2002) it would be worthwhile examining
further coastal sites for oil beetles in early spring and to try and identify potential host species of
Hymenoptera. Perhaps M. Scarabaeus is under-recorded because of its emergence comparatively
early in the season?
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Nigel Cuming and Mark Ilcy for permission to include their
observations.
Reference
RAMSAY, A. (2002) British oil beetles. British Wildlife 14 (1): 27-30.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)