BTB Philonthus splendens, (Fabricius, 1792) a species of Rove Beetle.
Family: Staphylinidae, (Lameere, 1900) are the 2nd largest family in the animal kingdom with more than 50,000 scientifically described species worldwide.
Length up to 16mm
This species is very hard to be 100% on identification, as there are many very similar species, that belong to an ancient group of fossilised “Rove Beetles”, going back to over 200 million years ago!
Adults emerge from Spring to Autumn, widespread and common throughout, the United Kingdom.
Mainly preying on various insects and invertebrates. Living amongst leaf litter and often seen searching for prey, amongst plant leaves.
Habitat: Rove beetles are known to cover a large variety of Habitats, preferring ground areas covered with dense vegetation, like woodland edges and hedgerows.