Dumbledore!

by Ian Bushell

This is a Dor Beetle and I am almost certain it is a Common Dumbledore Beetle – Geotrupes spiniger. This is the first time it has been identified in the reserve and I have added it to our lists.

It is widespread and fairly frequent, big, black, quite lustrous and a little clumsy. It is a very efficient native dung feeder that normally inhabits herbivore grazed pasture, where the larvae live in the dung. But they fly well, so it could flown into the reserve from the surrounding farmland. They are also found in woodland where they use decaying fungi or rotting plants as a breeding habitat. The adults are out and about from July to October. 

The picture of its underside (see above) shows the metallic purply colour and a colony of mites. Geotrupes spiniger are well known for being covered in mites.

Dumbledore (or dumblerdor) is an old name that has also been used for bumblebees and cockchafers as well as elderly wizards. The dumble part of it means clumsy and dor means a insect that buzzes as it flies.