Clytra laeviuscula Ratzeburg, 1837
Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Clytra > Clytra laeviuscula
Images
Source:
Peter Hodge
Description
Size: 7.5-11.5mm
Basic colour: Red/orange-red and black.
Pattern colour: Pronotum black, elytra red/orange-red (rarely yellow) with black spots
Number of spots: 6 (3 per elytron), though usually appears to be 4 as the posterior spots are generally fused; the shoulder spots are smaller than those on the disc which when fused almost form a transverse band. Several variations occur, ranging from the discal spots being absent to being fully fused including across the elytral suture.
Spot fusions: Very common
Other colour forms: Rare
Pronotoum: Black
Leg colour: Black
Confusion species: Clytra quadripunctata
Basic colour: Red/orange-red and black.
Pattern colour: Pronotum black, elytra red/orange-red (rarely yellow) with black spots
Number of spots: 6 (3 per elytron), though usually appears to be 4 as the posterior spots are generally fused; the shoulder spots are smaller than those on the disc which when fused almost form a transverse band. Several variations occur, ranging from the discal spots being absent to being fully fused including across the elytral suture.
Spot fusions: Very common
Other colour forms: Rare
Pronotoum: Black
Leg colour: Black
Confusion species: Clytra quadripunctata
Biology
Status: Believed to be extinct in Britain; last recorded in 1895.
Habitat: Caledonian pine and birch woodland, also calcareous grassland. Associated with various ant species.
Host plant: In continental Europe, various trees (including roses), especially willows and poplars.
Overwintering: Unknown
Food: Adults feed on leaves and flowers of host plants.
Other notes: Considered extinct in Britain. Separated from C. quadripunctata by having pronotal side margins smooth and narrow (not flattened and punctured as in C. quadripunctata).
Habitat: Caledonian pine and birch woodland, also calcareous grassland. Associated with various ant species.
Host plant: In continental Europe, various trees (including roses), especially willows and poplars.
Overwintering: Unknown
Food: Adults feed on leaves and flowers of host plants.
Other notes: Considered extinct in Britain. Separated from C. quadripunctata by having pronotal side margins smooth and narrow (not flattened and punctured as in C. quadripunctata).