Taxonomy
- Polyphaga
- Chrysomeloidea
- Chrysomelidae
- Galerucella
- Galerucella nymphaeae
Common name
Water-Lily Leaf Beetle
Images
Source: Malcolm Storey / BioImages
Source: Malcolm Storey / BioImages
Description
Size: 4-8mm
Basic colour: Yellowish, brownish or brick-red; elytra usually darkened with a paler margin.
Pattern colour: See basic colour
Number of spots: See pronotum
Pronotoum: As basic colour but usually with a pair of darkened spots which may be somewhat diffuse, plus a darkened central longitudinal line. The top of the head also often with a dark spot.
Leg colour: As basic colour, though there mat be some darkening.
Confusion species: Galerucella sagittariae
Basic colour: Yellowish, brownish or brick-red; elytra usually darkened with a paler margin.
Pattern colour: See basic colour
Number of spots: See pronotum
Pronotoum: As basic colour but usually with a pair of darkened spots which may be somewhat diffuse, plus a darkened central longitudinal line. The top of the head also often with a dark spot.
Leg colour: As basic colour, though there mat be some darkening.
Confusion species: Galerucella sagittariae
Considered to be a species complex with G. sagittariae but the taxonomic status is unclear; the complex as a whole is more or less Holarctic.
Biology
Status: Widespread and common
Habitat: Various wetland types
Host plant: Water-lilies
Overwintering: Adults hibernate under leaf shealths of bulrush (Typha latifolia)
Food: Leaves of host plants
Other notes: nymphaeae is usually larger and darker (on water-lilies); sagittariae is usually smaller and paler (on various semi-aquatic and terrestrial plants, especially docks Rumex spp and Rosaceae). Larvae parasitised by Closterocerus caterinae & C. lucens (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Eggs destroyed by the snail Succinea putris.
Habitat: Various wetland types
Host plant: Water-lilies
Overwintering: Adults hibernate under leaf shealths of bulrush (Typha latifolia)
Food: Leaves of host plants
Other notes: nymphaeae is usually larger and darker (on water-lilies); sagittariae is usually smaller and paler (on various semi-aquatic and terrestrial plants, especially docks Rumex spp and Rosaceae). Larvae parasitised by Closterocerus caterinae & C. lucens (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Eggs destroyed by the snail Succinea putris.