Number of species
2
Size Range
4-8mm
Tarsal formula
4-4-4
Lobed
Images:
Description
Two British species, both in genus Orsodacne. Medium-sized (4-8mm) beetles similar in appearance to the Criocerinae (Chrysomelidae), they vary in colour from a shining deep blue to yellow-brown. The two species can be split using the elytral pubescence: O. cerasi (L.) is virtually glabrous above while O. humeralis (Latreille) (formerly O. lineola (Panzer)) has long, dense pubescence on shinier elytra.
Both species are generally found on flowers, particularly of rowan or hawthorns, in grassland and scrub surrounding broad-leaf woodland. While O. cerasi is widespread, O. humeralis is a scarce species of southeastern England.