Agriotes pallidulus

The length of the adult beetles of Agriotes pallidulus ranges from 3½ to 6 mm and is usually between 4 and 5 mm. This makes it the smallest species of Agriotes in Europe. Other European species are longer than 6½ mm. The adults have an elongated shape with a punctured cuticle and short greyish hairs. The pronotum is shiny and about as wide as long. The elytra have strongly punctured longitudinal grooves. The coloration is variable from dark brown to reddish-orange brown. The legs and antennae are lighter brown, sometimes yellowish. The sides of the elytra are also often lighter brown, but may be dark near the middle where they meet. Molecular identification is possible and the partial sequence of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 of A. pallidulus from Germany has been published.

Agriotes pallidulus was first described (as Elater pallidulus) by Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger in his book on the beetles of Portugal, from where he obtained only one specimen (from northern Portugal). However, Illiger also mentioned that this species is not uncommon in Germany. It has been further reported from other parts of Europe, especially from central, western and north-western parts like the U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Various other records are from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Poland, northern Romania, Slovakia, Spain and parts of western Ukraine. Records from other European countries appear to be doubtful. While A. pallidulus is widespread and common in Britain, it has been reported to be rare in Ireland. Several reports from eastern Europe mention that it is also rare in that region, e.g. in Austria, Hungaria and the Czech Republic.

There is little information available on the biology and ecology of Agriotes pallidulus. Grasslands and forests are cited as habitat, where the larvae feed on the roots. The life cycle of A. pallidulus seems to be rather short compared to other Agriotes species. The larvae overwinter only once and pupate in the following spring.

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