Cryptocephalus nitidulus Fabricius, 1787
Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Cryptocephalus > Cryptocephalus nitidulus
Images
Source:
Roger Key
Description
Size: 3.5-5.2mm
Basic colour: Bright metallic green or blue
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: Pronotum sometimes with yellow spots at the front and hind angles.
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: Yellow or orange-yellow (middle and hind femora darker).
Basic colour: Bright metallic green or blue
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: Pronotum sometimes with yellow spots at the front and hind angles.
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: Yellow or orange-yellow (middle and hind femora darker).
Previously known from a small number of scattered locations, now primarily a few sites in Surrey. This species has UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) page here.
Biology
Status: Endangered (RDB1), UKBAP species.
Habitat: Scrubby grassland or rides in natural broad-leaved woodland. Needs host plants in south-facing locations at the transition between woodland and grassland/heathland plus surrounding windbreaks of taller vegetation. Sometimes in sheltered valleys.
Host plant: Usually birch saplings, sometimes hazel, hawthorn or privet.
Overwintering: Two-year life-cycle.
Food: Leaves of host plants; adults may also feed on pollen.
Other notes: Pronotum with very fine punctures. Head with a narrow yellow mark below the antennal insertions.
Habitat: Scrubby grassland or rides in natural broad-leaved woodland. Needs host plants in south-facing locations at the transition between woodland and grassland/heathland plus surrounding windbreaks of taller vegetation. Sometimes in sheltered valleys.
Host plant: Usually birch saplings, sometimes hazel, hawthorn or privet.
Overwintering: Two-year life-cycle.
Food: Leaves of host plants; adults may also feed on pollen.
Other notes: Pronotum with very fine punctures. Head with a narrow yellow mark below the antennal insertions.