Aphthona melancholica Weise, 1888
Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Aphthona > Aphthona melancholica
Description
Size: 2.3-2.5mm (possibly from 1.8mm)
Basic colour: Shiny black, sometimes dark blue.
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: None
Other colour forms: Sometimes
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: Yellow (see 'other notes' below).
Basic colour: Shiny black, sometimes dark blue.
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: None
Other colour forms: Sometimes
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: Yellow (see 'other notes' below).
Biology
Status: Widespread, though absent from Scotland.
Habitat: Various
Host plant: Wood spurge and Mediterranean spurge; also hazels and oaks.
Overwintering: Unknown location, but adults do overwinter.
Food: Adults feed on spurge leaves.
Other notes: Broad/oval. Elytra with clear deep punctures. Antennae usually yellowish. Femora, tibiae and tarsi yellow expect for the last three tarsal segments (brown).
Habitat: Various
Host plant: Wood spurge and Mediterranean spurge; also hazels and oaks.
Overwintering: Unknown location, but adults do overwinter.
Food: Adults feed on spurge leaves.
Other notes: Broad/oval. Elytra with clear deep punctures. Antennae usually yellowish. Femora, tibiae and tarsi yellow expect for the last three tarsal segments (brown).
Articles
Alexander, K.N.A. (2009). Aphthona melancholica Weise and Crepidodera plutus (Latreille) (Chrysomelidae) - two interesting Welsh records. The Coleopterist 18(1): 14.