Donacia aquatica (Linnaeus, 1758)
Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Donacia > Donacia aquatica
Common name:
Zircon Reed Beetle
Images
Source:
Malcolm Greenwood
Description
Size: 6.7-8.8mm
Basic colour: Shining gold
Pattern colour: Elytra with broad rainbow-brilliant reddish-purple longitudinal band
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Basic colour: Shining gold
Pattern colour: Elytra with broad rainbow-brilliant reddish-purple longitudinal band
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Widespread in the Palaearctic.
Biology
Status: Rare (RDB3)
RDB Category: Rare (RDB3)
UKBAP Species: Yes
Habitat: Sedge-dominated vegetation at the margins of open standing water; also flushed areas with rushes by upland tarns.
Host plant: various sedges, bur-reeds, sweet-grasses etc.
Overwintering: Adults may overwinter on land, but details uncertain.
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae at roots.
RDB Category: Rare (RDB3)
UKBAP Species: Yes
Habitat: Sedge-dominated vegetation at the margins of open standing water; also flushed areas with rushes by upland tarns.
Host plant: various sedges, bur-reeds, sweet-grasses etc.
Overwintering: Adults may overwinter on land, but details uncertain.
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae at roots.
Articles
Bairner, S. (2012). Donacia aquatica (Linnaeus) (Chrysomelidae) from Stirlingshire. The Coleopterist 21(1): 12.
Foster, G.N., Bratton, J.H., Ewing, A.W., Hodge, P.J. & Nobes, G. (2007). Current status of Donacia aquatica Linnaeus (Chrysomelidae) in Britain and Ireland. The Coleopterist 16(1): 25.