Taxonomy
- Polyphaga
- Chrysomeloidea
- Chrysomelidae
- Chrysolina
- Chrysolina graminis
Common name
Tansy Leaf Beetle
Images
Source: Roger Key
Source: Duncan Sivell
Source: Duncan Sivell
Source: Duncan Sivell
Description
Size: 7.7-10.5mm
Basic colour: Metallic bright green
Pattern colour: Suture metallic blue or blue-green and darker than the elytra.
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Confusion species: Chrysolina herbacea
Basic colour: Metallic bright green
Pattern colour: Suture metallic blue or blue-green and darker than the elytra.
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Confusion species: Chrysolina herbacea
Biology
Status: Scarce (Notable A), though could more accurately be considered RDB2 (Vulnerable). Also a UKBAP species.
Habitat: Fens, banks of rivers with wide floodplains
Host plant: Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Overwintering: Unknown, although some individuals undergo an extended diapause of more than a year.
Food: Leaves of host plants.
Other notes: Very similar to C. herbacea, but suture metallic blue or blue-green and darker than the elytra.
Habitat: Fens, banks of rivers with wide floodplains
Host plant: Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Overwintering: Unknown, although some individuals undergo an extended diapause of more than a year.
Food: Leaves of host plants.
Other notes: Very similar to C. herbacea, but suture metallic blue or blue-green and darker than the elytra.