Bloody-Nosed Beetle

South East London

Bloody-Nosed beetles are quite common in Southern England. These beetles usually come out of hibernation in April but adults may be found in most months of the year. The get their name from a secretion produced when they are under threat; a red bloody fluid that is said to be both foul tasting and a visual deterrent for predators. They live mostly on grasslands and feed mainly on leaves. They are flightless beetles and the one the one I photographed was just over two centimeters in length.