Les Cercyon sont de petits Hydrophilidae surtout terrestres, mais semi-aquatiques pour quelques uns. C. melanocephalus appartient au sous-genre Cercyon qui rassemble la majorité des taxons. Il fait partie du groupe qui présente, à la face ventrale, des lignes métaventrales dirigées des côtés de la partie élevée du métaventrite vers les angles antérieurs de celui-ci. Ces lignes sont abrégées chez C. melanocephalus et parfois peu distinctes. La forme en ovale assez allongé, la couleur élytrale généralement rougeâtre, avec un large triangle basal et des angles huméraux noirs sont distinctifs, associés à des palpes maxillaires et des épipleures sombres.
Détermination :
Moyennement difficile sur photo d'ensemble.
Espèces proches :
C. melanocephalus peut être confondu avec C. haemorrhoidalis lorsque la couleur élytrale de ce dernier s'éclairçit. Généralement le large triangle qui assombrit ses élytres suffit alors à le différentier de son congénère.
Période d'observation :
Adulte rencontré presque toute l'année.
Biologie-éthologie :
Vit dans les matières organiques en décomposition, principalement les bouses et crottins mais aussi les déchets végétaux.
Biogéographie et écologie :
Espèce fréquente, qui habite une grande partie de la région paléarctique jusqu'en Sibérie ; absente de la Péninsule ibérique et d'Afrique du Nord.
Queney P. et Prévost P. 2021. Clé d'identification des Coléoptères aquatiques de France métropolitaine Myxophaga, Polyphaga Hydrophiloidea (n Tome 1.
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.
French Version
