Oxypoda brachyptera
These were in pitfall traps in propylene glycol. I'd used that preservative as half of the traps were being sent off for eDNA analysis and that was the recommended medium for those, but it hasn't made examining the rest of the insects easy and I've depended heavily on the genitalia for the Aleocharine beetles. In this case I noted similarities between the genitalia and some of the Oxypoda species but decided it matched Ocyusa maura better. The specimen wasn't in great condition (so no photos) so I couldn't rule that out easily, but I wasn't completely sure. It was only when I examined the next one (from the same set of traps) that I realised I'd overlooked Oxypoda brachyptera and that fitted the external appearance as well as the genitalia better.
, WBEP BL1, 29-31-Mar-24 (A) (3).jpg)
, WBEP BL1, 29-31-Mar-24 (A) (5).jpg)
male Oxypoda brachyptera aedeagus (side and flat views), Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 29th to 31st March 2024
, WBEP BM4, 29-31-Mar-24 (A) (1).jpg)
, WBEP BM4, 29-31-Mar-24 (A) (2).jpg)
, WBEP BM4, 29-31-Mar-24 (A) (3).jpg)
, WBEP BM4, 29-31-Mar-24 (A) (4).jpg)
second male Oxypoda brachyptera showing aedeagus (flat with parameres, side and flat views without parameres), Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 29th to 31st March 2024