Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus

This species often comes to light in my garden moth trap and elsewhere. It seems to have good and bad years more obviously than many beetles I catch regularly - the 29 I've caught have all been in three years (2018, 2020 when there were ten on one night and 2023).

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus showing eye, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 10th September 2023

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 11th September 2023

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 15th September 2023

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 26th July 2020

There were ten in my moth trap on this occasion, of which seven were clustered together in a single eggbox pit. Four of the ten were examined properly - the others presumed to be the same species.

Lesser Mealworm Beetles Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 31st July 2020

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 7th August 2020

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 8th August 2020

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus showing eye, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 25th September 2023

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus showing eye, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 8th September 2023

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 21st August 2018

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 2nd August 2018

Lesser Mealworm Beetle Alphitobius diaperinus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 11th August 2020