Agrypnus murinus
Mouse gray beetle ( Agrypnus murinus )
The mouse gray beetle ( Agrypnus murinus ), also known as mouse gray sand beetle, is a species in the family of click beetles ( Elateridae ). The species is the only one of its kind in Central Europe.
Features
The oval body of the kind is dark brown and has a drawing of dense white and red-brown scales that cover the dark staining. The first term of the sensor is black, otherwise the sensor as well as the palps, tarsi and knees are a rusty brown. The remaining portions of the legs are dark brown. The pronotum is wider than long and dense point-like structure. In the back half are located along the center of two cusps with smooth tips. The tag ( scutellum ) is longer than wide. The elytra bear fine point rows in the longitudinal strips and have their widest point in the middle.
Occurrence and life
The species is widespread in the Palearctic and in North America, and occurs in the north to the south Fennoscandian and also in the British Isles. They are found under rocks or on low vegetation in forests, clearings and fields, from the plains to mountain areas. The flight time is in spring and summer. The larvae are predatory and feed on other insect larvae and small worms.