Nanophyidae

Common name:

Number of species:

2

Size Range:

1-2mm

Tarsi:

4-4-4. Lobed.

Images:

  • Nanophyes marmoratus

Description: 

Two species in Britain, both less than 2mm long.  Similar in appearance to (and sometimes included in) the Apionidae, both species (Nanophyes marmoratus (Goeze) and Dieckmanniellus gracilis (Redtenbacher)) can be distinguished by the presence of elbowed (geniculate) antennae.  Both species have black elytra with yellow scales: in N. marmoratus these are in two angled bands while in D. gracilis these cover the apical two-thirds of the elytra.

 

Nanophyes marmoratus is widespread on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in wet area, while D. gracilis is rare with a few scattered records across southern England, where it is associated with water purslane (Lythrum portula) in damp areas.