Adrastus pallens

Description

Length 4.5 to 5 mm. One of the smallest of the British Elaterids. The elytra, legs and antennae are orange-brown with a darker stripe down the centre of the elytra. The pronotum and head are black. The elytral striae are deep at the base but become shallower towards the tip. The elytra are covered in pale, semi-erect hairs.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Primarily wetland habitats including wet meadows, stream edges and fens, but also hedgerows and rough grasslands. It has been found both on trees and on low growing vegetation.

When to see it

May to July.

UK Status

Widespread in England but not particularly common with only scattered records from Scotland and Wales.

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
insect - beetle (Coleoptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Elateridae
Records on NatureSpot:
6
First record:
29/06/2013 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
08/07/2024 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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