Longitarsus nasturtii (Fabricius, 1793)

Taxonomy

  • Polyphaga
  • Chrysomeloidea
  • Chrysomelidae
  • Longitarsus
  • Longitarsus nasturtii

Description

Size: 1.5-1.8mm
Basic colour: Dusky yellowish-red
Pattern colour: Broad black sutural line on elytra
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: Black
Leg colour: As basic colour
Confusion species: Longitarsus aeneicollis

Palaearctic

Biology

Status: Widespread but uncommon in England & S. Wales. Scarce (Notable B), appearing to have declined long-term in eastern England in particular.
Habitat: Woodland clearings and calcareous grassland, chalky hedgerows, sand, shingle, and possibly river banks.
Host plant: various Boraginaceae, especially vipe'rs-bugloss (Echium vulgare) and hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
Overwintering: As adults
Food: Boraginaceae: adults on leaves, larvae probably at roots
Other notes: Adults parasitised by a braconid wasp, probably Perilitus sp.

Distribution (may take a minute to appear)

Distribution Map