Ontholestes tessellatus

Length 14 to 19 mm. A very distinctive rove beetle with some orangey-yellow colouring in the legs. It is similar to Ontholestes murinus but that species has completely dark legs.

Usually found in association with carrion.

All year round especially in summer months.

It is not a particularly common species being widespread but scattered in England and Wales.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were 24 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.