Carrion beetle with silky sheen
Text and photo Ave Liivamägi
Translation Liis
Red-breasted carrion beetle
Red-breasted carrion beetle Punaselg-raisamardikas Oiceoptoma thoracica
The red-breasted carrion beetle is the most easily recognizable of the carrion beetle species: there is simply no other similar-looking species.
The body of this 12-16 mm long beetle is oval-shaped and flattened. The elytra, or outer wings, are black with a silky sheen and three lengthwise ribs and with the edges slightly curving upwards. The thorax or front part is orange or rusty red, looking slightly dented and covered with hairs gleaming in gold. The head is relatively small compared to the rest of the body but sufficiently strong to carry the powerful antennae that are thicker at the tip and ribbed.
The red-breasted beetle is a quite common species in Estonia. The beetles can be seen from spring to autumn. Both larva and adult beetles feed on carrion, excrements and rotting fungi. Thus the beetle has a quite important role in the cycle of living matter.
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