Minotaur

To my knowledge there has never been a survey of beetles on the reserve and I certainly don't have the identification skills to do one myself. This morning however I spotted one which I think I know - the Minotaur beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus) with its three 'horns' on the thorax. I think this is a female as the protrusions are not particularly large. Its one of the dung beetles that feeds on rabbit droppings and other dung. I do find beetles difficult to photograph, they tend to be scurrying around and difficult to focus on. Plus 've usually got the wrong lens with me when I find one and I've always got the spaniel to hold on to with one hand.......