Deadly beetle is spreading in Germany: How to recognize the oil beetle. Physical contact with oil beetles should generally be avoided.
A total of 172 arthropod species were detected within eight weeks in Schönwald. There are 20 species of the oil beetles family living in Central Europe. Oil beetles are relatively rare and strictly protected. In Germany they are on the red list of endangered species. The native oil beetles, also called May worms, pavement beetles and lard beetles, are particularly noticeable in the months of April and May.