Description: Medium (8.5-10mm) blackish-brown ground beetle with clear reddish margins to the elytra and pronotum (the latter is noticeable). Rather larger than other Irish species of Leistus. Occurs in dryish woodland or shaded, warm habitats.

NI account: First recorded in Ireland in June 2006. A single female was found during a Royal Entomological Society sponsored insect walk (for Insect Week 2006) at Castlewellan Park in east Co. Down. However , an earlier record has subsequently come to light, from Ballinastoe Woodland, Wicklow in 1996 (Bolger, Coll & Anderson, 2013). First noted as a British insect in 1942 since when it has expanded its range steadily northwards. Recorded in the Isle of Man in 1997 and in Scotland in 1994.

Ecology: Occurs sparingly in wooded or shaded habitats across its range in Britain but usually at low population densities. Apparently feeds on Collembola (springtails).

Distribution: This species has a European Temperate range (73) and is distributed from southern Scandinavia to the Mediterranean countries. There has been a marked northwards extension of its European and British Isles range, particularly in the second half of the 20th century.

Distribution Map from NBN: Leistus rufomarginatus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Leistus rufomarginatus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Leistus rufomarginatus | Classification: Insecta, Coleoptera, Carabidae, Leistus

Thumbnails for genus Leistus