Spanish Oil Beetles (Berberomeloe majalis & B. insignis)

[Entomofauna]

That's Berberomeloe majalis, very common, almost endemic of Iberian Peninsula, but present at south France and Morocco too. But the last photo is a different species and million times more interesting: Berberomeloe insignis, endemic of south Spain, and a golden dream for me!

[zeeox]

Thank you ever so much for this information Entomofauna! I will now change the title of the video accordingly. I will also look through my photos to see if I can recall where I saw the B. insignis. I think I have seen this darker form a few times but as I would not have thought it was a separate species at the time, I would not have given it any extra thought. It's always nice to know one has seen an endemic species!

[Entomofauna]

B. insignis is inmediately recognized by the red marks on head. B. majalis always have the head completely black. Both species can have the body (abdomen) completely black or well with a red border in each terguite.

Similar genus are Meloe and Physomeloe (this one is also Iberian endemic)