Three-Spot Leaf Beetle* (Lachnaia tristigma)

OTHER NAMES: *Name given here is speculative, based on a translated Portuguese common name
Latin Etymology: Lachnaia (?) tristigma ("three dot")

Adult Lachnaia tristigma at Laguna Campillo, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 


Despite the appearance, this species is not in fact a ladybird - the family Lachnaia appear to have evolved into mimicing ladybirds, presumable for protection.  They are in reality, members of the leaf beetle family and so more closely related to species like cardinal beetles that might be familiar to those in the UK.  I must admit, it's a pretty effective disguise - I'd assumed it to be a new ladybird species for me myself until I researched it later.

Related Species:
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Genus: Lachnaia
SUBSPECIES: unknown

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - A widespread resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A single individual at Laguna Campillo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Bloody-nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa)

OTHER NAMES: Blood Spewing Beetle, Blood Spewer

Latin Etymology: Timarcha (?) tenebricosa ("dark/gloomy")

Adult Bloody-nosed Beetle (subspecies T. t.anglica) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - April 2015

Featured Subspecies: Timarcha tenebricosa anglica
Length: 20-23mm 
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Bloody-nosed Beetle is a large distinctive species of Beetle found through the UK - it is flightless and has a distinctive walking stance which makes it appear to have a very high centre of gravity.  It gets its name from a distinctive defense mechanism it has - when it feels threatened it exudes droplets of foul tasting bright red liquid from around its mouth to repel predators. This is another flightless species - the wing cases are actually fused shut.

Related Species:
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Genus: Timarcha
SUBSPECIES: T. t. anglica, T. t. angusticollis, T. t. heyrowskyi, T. t. moravica, T. t. motschulskyri, T. t. normandiana, T. t. pauperata, T. t. submontana, T. t. tenebricosa, T. t. transgrediens

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Oulema (?) melanopus ("dark ?")

Adult Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus) at Newton, Northants - September 2011

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: 6mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Cereal Leaf Beetle is a tiny beetle that feeds on grains including crops and so is considered an agricultural pest.  There are two very similar species which are essentially impossible to differentiate between without a very detailed examination, but I have placed this as Oulema melanopus rather than Oulema rufocyanea on a bit of an educated guess, although there is the very strong possibility that I am wrong.  They can cause substantial problems to crops in both their native range of Eurasia and the introduced range in North America.  They will consume most cereal crops, but the major staples of human consumption such as oats, barley, rye and wheat are particular favourites, probably contributing to it's success.

Related Species:
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Genus: Oulema
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident.

 - Seen in Newton

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Bronze Beetle (Chrysolina bankii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Chrysolina ("gold thread") banski ("Banks'")

Adult Bronze Beetle (Chrysolina bankii) in Cornwall - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Bronze Beetle is very aptly named - a beautiful metallic carapace that looks as if it's been hammered into shape.  This species took me a long time to identify, as most of the Chrysolina genus do not have widely noted common names.  It's taxonomy has been slightly tweaked - it was originally known as Chrysolina banksi".

Related Species:
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Genus: Chrysolina
SUBSPECIES: ?

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A local species.

 - Seen in Cornwall.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .