Drusilla canaliculata

Drusilla canaliculata

Description

A small (about 5 mm), slender rove beetle. It is predominantly reddish brown but the rear of the abdomen is darker than the rest of the body. The legs are reddish-yellow and rather long.  Abdomen is broadest in the middle.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats and on a variety of soils; open areas under vegetation, stones, mosses, debris etc. it has been noted as frequenting areas with grasses such as Common Couch and Yorkshire-fog.

When to see it

All year round.

Life History

It is a predator that catches ants.

UK Status

Widespread though sometimes rather local in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. 

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured squares = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records