Biology
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Very little is known of the biology of this predatory species. It is able to fly, and breeds in spring and early summer (3).
Conservation
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A number of beetles sharing this river shingle habitat have been highlighted as priorities under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). A Group Action Plan has been produced to coordinate efforts to conserve these species. This plan aims to maintain current populations. The Environment Agency, English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales have joint-funded studies aiming to improve understanding of these species, in order to better guide their conservation (2).
Description
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Bembidion testaceum is a predatory ground beetle that is very similar in appearances to other related Bembidion species (2). This is a genus of small beetles that often have markings on the wing cases (elytra). This species has a dark head and pronotum with a greenish reflection, and the wing cases are reddish brown with hardly a trace of discrete reddish spots (3).
Habitat
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This species is known as a river shingle beetle, as it is found amongst sand and gravel beside slow-flowing or still water (2).
Range
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Although this species is easily confused with other members of the genus and old records may not be reliable, it is clear that Bembidion testaceum once had a wide, yet scattered distribution in England and Wales, reaching up into southern Scotland. This beetle has undergone a decline, however, and is now known only from 4 areas. Two of these occur in northern England, with one in south Wales and the fourth on the Welsh Borders (2). In the rest of Europe, this beetle has a wide range; Britain represents the north western limit of this distribution (2).
Status
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Classified as Nationally Scarce in Great Britain (2).
Threats
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The habitat of this species is likely to be damaged by a range of factors, including river straightening and dredging, control of river flow rate caused by damming or flood reduction schemes, trampling by livestock, and the spread of the invasive plant Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) (2).
Bembidion testaceum
provided by wikipedia EN
Bembidion testaceum (also known as river shingle beetle)[1] is a small, fast-moving water beetle in the Trechinae subfamily that can be found in Austria, Benelux, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, and all states of former Yugoslavia.[2]
Description
The species is brown coloured and have a length of 4.5–5.5 millimetres (0.18–0.22 in). The distinctive feature of this kind of species is that it has a dark head and pronotum which has a greenish outline. The wing cases are brownish-red and have almost no reddish spots on them.[1]
Habitat and ecology
The species can be found on sand and gravel, usually by sea side.[1]
Threat status
The species is considered to be Nationally Scarce in Great Britain. It used to be common in England, Wales and southern Scotland.[1]
Conservation
Due to its decline in Great Britain the species therefore are protected by UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The decline happen to be from habitat loss which is due to the invasion of Himalayan Balsam and floods.[1]
References
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Bembidion testaceum: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Bembidion testaceum (also known as river shingle beetle) is a small, fast-moving water beetle in the Trechinae subfamily that can be found in Austria, Benelux, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, and all states of former Yugoslavia.
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