APHOTOFAUNA

An online educational resource dedicated to the photography of
terrestrial wildlife and their habitats, found across South-West
England and the Devon and Cornwall Peninsula by David Fenwick.

A-P-H-O-T-O Wildlife Stock Image Library
Heterocerus fenestratus (Thunberg, 1784) - A Variegated Mud-loving Beetle (Coleoptera)
Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- dorsal view on mud 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- dorsal view 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- ventral view 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- with 0.1mm division rule 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- femur 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- elytron 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- habitat / holes in mud bank 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- habitat 1

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- habitat 2

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle
Heterocerus fenestratus
- habitat / location 1

A number of specimens were found near its burrow on saltmarsh, on the uppershore of the Skern, Northam Burrows Country Park, Westward Ho!, Devon, 12.04.17.

This beetle appears to be able to live a fully marine lifestyle and be able to survive high salinity levels. It was seen living below the high tide line and survives by trapping air in its burrows for use when the tide comes in.

Variegated Mud-loving Beetle is a group name used on Bug Guide a US based website.

A big thank you to Dr. Paul Gainey for confirming the species.

APHOTOFAUNA supports open source data recording and sharing for the benefit of wildlife, recorders, research, science and education. The project works closely with the following bodies and organisations.

CISFBR or Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation of Biological Recorders

The CISFBR or Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation of Biological Recorders is an independent umbrella organisation supporting independent recorders and recording groups in the county of Cornwall.

Cornish Biodiversity Network

The Cornish Biodiversity Network or CBN is the largest open source wildlife database in Cornwall that sends open source data to the NBN (National Biodiversity Network). It is a new recording system based on the ERICA database, the largest recording resource in Cornwall. The CBN best supports the activities and needs of the independent recording community and recording groups in Cornwall.

NBN National Biodiversity Network

The National Biodiversity Network or NBN is a charity that supports open source data sharing and recording supporting conservation, science and education.
"Why do recorders need open source?". Simply because it supports the core values of wildlife recording and the free use of records and data over a very wide network that includes partners like the Natural History Museum.

Heterocerus fenestratus Variegated Mud loving Beetle Heterocerid Heteroceridae Coleoptera Arthropod Images
The main objective of this website is in furthering environmental awareness and education through the medium of photography. To increase awareness and access to the wildlife of the region and help
people find and identify it. Sometimes the difference between species is obvious but many species can only be determined by observing microscopic characteristics that are specific to any one species.