About Four-Spotted Hister Beetle
A glossy black hister beetle with four orange-red spots on its wing cases. It is associated with mammal dung in pastures and heathlands.
Did You Know?
It typically arrives at fresh dung within the first hour and remains for several days until the pat dries out.
How to Identify Four-Spotted Hister Beetle
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle (Hister quadrimaculatus) belongs to the order Coleoptera, family Histeridae. Adults typically measure 5-7 mm.
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle Habitat
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle is found in heathland habitats, particularly across Europe. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle Diet and Feeding
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle feeds on animal dung. Dung-feeding insects provide vital ecosystem services by breaking down and burying waste, improving soil fertility and reducing parasite transmission.
Where Is Four-Spotted Hister Beetle Found?
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle can be found in Europe, where it inhabits heathland environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Four-Spotted Hister Beetle can be found
Is Four-Spotted Hister Beetle Dangerous?
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle Role in Nature
Four-Spotted Hister Beetle plays a vital role in decomposition and nutrient recycling. By breaking down dead organic matter, it helps return nutrients to the soil, supporting plant growth and maintaining ecosystem health.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About Four-Spotted Hister Beetle
What does Four-Spotted Hister Beetle look like?
The Four-Spotted Hister Beetle typically measures 5-7 mm.
Where is Four-Spotted Hister Beetle found?
The Four-Spotted Hister Beetle is found in Europe and typically inhabits heathland environments.
What does Four-Spotted Hister Beetle eat?
The Four-Spotted Hister Beetle feeds on animal dung.
Is Four-Spotted Hister Beetle dangerous to humans?
The Four-Spotted Hister Beetle is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.
What is an interesting fact about Four-Spotted Hister Beetle?
It typically arrives at fresh dung within the first hour and remains for several days until the pat dries out.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Four-Spotted Hister Beetle (Hister quadrimaculatus). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/four-spotted-hister-beetle
MLA:
"Four-Spotted Hister Beetle." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/four-spotted-hister-beetle.