Extinct

This species is considered to be extinct in Greater Lincolnshire.

Key action species

This species has been identified in the Threatened Species Recovery Actions - 2025 Baseline, published by Natural England, as having key actions which can help recover populations or prevent further loss.

View actions

Violet Oil-beetle

Meloe violaceus

Marsham, 1802

National assessment

Stable

Local assessment

Extinct

National recording scheme

Oil Beetle Recording Scheme

Associated assemblage

scrub heath and moorland 206 other species in this assemblage

Last updated

2025-02-05

Statistics

Occurrences

1 since 2000 3 all time

Occupied 1 km squares

0 since 2000 1 all time

Earliest occurrence

1884

Latest occurrence

1884

Distribution

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Something missing?

If you've seen this species and want to report a sighting, head over to iRecord. If you're able to provide more context on the status in Greater Lincolnshire, habitat requirements or other information get in touch.

Occurrence since 1950

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This chart should not be relied upon for an indication of species status as variations in recording effort can heavily affect the count of occurrences and occupied 1km squares.

Threatened species recovery actions

Actions from Threatened Species Recovery Actions 2025 Baseline published by Natural England.

(Re-)introduction

Translocations of adult beetles to sites with suitable habitat and nesting bees species known to be used as hosts

Education/awareness raising

Raise awareness among the public of this species as it's fairly large, distinctive and would be noticed by casual observers. Given the disjunct population, other populations are probably to be discovered.

Scientific research

Define autecology of larvae and adults at known sites. Population genetics of known populations

References

Webb, J., Heaver, D., Lott, D., Dean, H.J., van Breda, J., Curson, J., Harvey, M.C., Gurney, M., Roy, D.B., van Breda, A., Drake, M., Alexander, K.N.A. and Foster, G. (2017). Pantheon. [online] Available at: http://www.brc.ac.uk [05/02/2025].

Wilkins, T.C., Baker, T.G, Hipperson-Jervis, C. and Thompson, M. (2025). Threatened Species Recovery Actions 2025 Baseline Version 1.1 - Spreadsheet. Joint Publication JP065. Natural England and partners, UK. https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6106216194113536

Data sources

Local species recorders

Cite this page

GLNP (2025). Meloe violaceus Marsham, 1802 species profile, in Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (ed.) Greater Lincolnshire species data bank. Available at: http://glincsson.glnp.org.uk/view?taxon_list_item_key=NBNORG0000018216 (Accessed 08 November 2025).