Dasytes species
In Britain the genus Dasytes is comprised of some 5 species. All are hairy, black small beetles, measuring 3 to 5 mm. They are hard to identify from pictures, for the differences in the species often is in small details. And these details even differ between males and females. We have only one picture of such a beetle and thus it cannot be named by species. We are consequently unable to provide further information on life style etc. In general these are hunting species, often hunting on flowers in sun shine. The larvae are hunters as well, but live in decaying wood.
The genus Dasytes is part of the family of Soft-winged Flower Beetles (Melyridae), but used to be placed in a family of its own: Dasytidae.
