Cryptocephalus querceti Suffrian, 1848

Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Cryptocephalus > Cryptocephalus querceti

Description

Size: 2.5-3.4mm
Basic colour: Black, or black and dark brown
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: None, though sometimes with a small red mark near the inner edge of the eye.
Pronotoum: Black
Leg colour: Yellow
Confusion species: Cryptocephalus exiguus
, Confusion species: Cryptocephalus labiatus

Previously known from 5 widely separated sites. Currently well-established in Windsor Forest/Great Park, although its status at the other four sites is unknown.

Biology

Status: Vulnerable (RDB2).
Habitat: Ancient broad-leaved pasture-woodland, parkland and forests; favours open parkland over closed-canopy woodland.
Host plant: Oaks, sometimes hawthorns.
Overwintering: Unknown, although larvae may take a year to develop fully.
Food: Adults feed on oak leaves; larvae feed on oak litter and debris in holes in boles of old oaks.
Other notes: Similar to the common C. labiatus and the rare C. exiguus. Elytra dark brown to black. Front of head black.

Distribution (may take a minute to appear)