Philonthus cognatus is a rove beetle. Adults are 8 to 10 mm long. They are mainly black in colour, although the elytra have a metallic sheen, and are profusely pitted. A distinctive feature of this species is that the underside of the first antennal segment is yellow, contrasting with the black upperside. It is a common species in Britain.

Philonthus cognatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Staphylinidae
Genus: Philonthus
Species:
P. cognatus
Binomial name
Philonthus cognatus
(Stephens, 1832)

References

edit
  • Joy, Norman (1932). A Practical Handbook of British Beetles (volume 1 page 119, under the name Philonthus fuscipennis).