Churchyard Beetle - Blaps mucronata

Scientific Name: Blaps mucronata

English Name: Churchyard Beetle or Cellar Beetle

French Name: Le Scarabée funebre

5 Key Characters:

• Flightless.
• Nocturnal.
• Secrets a foul smelling liquid when alarmed (be careful not to handle them, as the secretion is also an irritant).
• Completely mat black.
• Found in dark damp places.
  

Lookalikes: There are 3 other species of Blaps in mainland France, all of which look very similar. There is a simple key for distinguishing them on le Monde des Insectes.

Habitat: Caves, cellars, stables.

Active Period: All year.

Status: Apparently uncommon, but may be under recorded.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
Photographs numbered from left to right and top to bottom. 1-5 A specimen discovered near Preuilly-sur-Claise in a farmyard near an old stable, April.