Chrysolina cerealis
| Chrysolina cerealis | ||||||||||||
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Chrysolina cerealis |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Chrysolina cerealis | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1767) |
Chrysolina cerealis (also known as Rainbow leaf beetle , thyme leaf beetle or Snowdon beetle known) is a beetle from the family of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae).
features
The beetles are 5.5 to 10 millimeters long. Their elytres have stripes in the colors red, gold, green and blue and have a metallic sheen. There are different color options. The females are typically larger and wider than their male counterparts.
Occurrence
The distribution area of the beetle species occurring in Eurasia extends from Western Europe to Eastern Siberia. In mainland Europe, the occurrence ranges from northern Italy in the south to Norway in the north. In the British Isles, there is a small population in Snowdonia National Park in Wales . The species is considered endangered in both Central Europe and Wales.
Way of life
The beetles fly in the summer months from April to September. They feed on the flowers and leaves of the early flowering thyme ( Thymus polytrichus ). The beetles lay their eggs on sweet grasses ( red ostrich grass ( Agrostis capillaris ) and real sheep fescue ( Festuca ovina )).
Web links
- insect box: Chrysolina cerealis
- Encyclopedia of Life: Chrysolina cerealis
- www.arkive.org: Rainbow leaf beetle (Chrysolina cerealis)
- University of Wroclaw: photos