Ground Beetles of Ireland


Ocys tachysoides

 
 

Ocys tachysoides (Audinet-Serville, 1821)

Description: Very similar to Ocys harpaloides but the elytra are a more even dark brown to black sometimes with slight metallic reflection, and the pronotum bright red, contrasting sharply with the hind body.
 

World Distribution: Although overlooked in Europe until now, this species is likely to have a similar range to that of O. harpaloides and was described from north Africa.
 

Irish Status: Very widespread and common in woods across Ireland.
 

Ecology: Distinctly arboreal, occurring typically under bark of broadleaf trees and distinctive because no other bembidiine occurs in this niche in Ireland.