Microlestes minutulus

This was found in a pitfall trap and its likeness to Syntomus was immediately noticed. Upon closer inspection there were some differences from the two species of Syntomus I had previously identified and upon keying it the reason for this became clear. Differences in the shape of the elytral apex and the presence of pubescence on the third antennal segment pointed to genus Microlestes, and the size, shape of the elytra, elytral microsculpture and faint (but evident) elytral striae all pointed to minutulus. As there had been some minor uncertainties in getting to Microlestes (especially around pronotum shape) I decided to check the aedeagus matched too, which it did.

male Microlestes minutulus showing pronotum, basal antennal segments, apex of elytra, central basal area of elytra and aedeagus, Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 11th-12th May 2025