Cryptocephalus coryli (Linnaeus, 1758)

Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Cryptocephalus > Cryptocephalus coryli

Common name: 

Hazel Pot Beetle

Images

Cryptocephalus coryli
Source:
Roger Key
Cryptocephalus coryli
Source:
Roger Key
Cryptocephalus coryli
Source:
Roger Key

Description

Size: 5.8-7.5mm
Basic colour: See notes below (sexually dimorphic).
Pattern colour: See notes below.
Number of spots: See notes below.
Other colour forms: Sometimes
Pronotoum: Black (males) or orange/orange-red (females)
Leg colour: Blackish - may be tinged with other colours.

A sexually dimorphic species which has declined since the 1950s. Its UK BAP page is here.

Biology

Status: Endangered (RDB1), scattered in eastern England. UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species.
Habitat: Clearings and ride margins in broad-leaved woodland on south-facing slopes, calcareous grassland/downs, moorland.
Host plant: Birches and other trees
Overwintering: Unknown
Food: Leaves of host plants. Larvae also use catkins and fallen leaves.
Other notes: Pronotum black in males, orange in females. Elytra orange-red with a fine black suture; males sometimes with an indistinct black spot on the 'shoulder' and disc. Head with the top yellow-orange, sometimes mostly black in males.

Distribution (may take a minute to appear)