Cryptocephalus querceti (Suffrian, 1848)
Click here for Cryptocephalus querceti ovae and larval images
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A very rare Cryptocephalus beetle, having RDB2 status and known from only a handful of UK sites. Adult Cryptocephalus querceti have a preference for feeding on the epicormic growth on ancient/mature Oaks and are extremely similar to Cryptocephalus labiatus. The elytral puncturation is much finer on querceti, and although websites and literature often quote querceti as having completely clear yellow legs, there is usually some darkening of the hind femora. In labiatus, the rear legs are usually completely dark, with at least some degree of darkening on all other legs. C. querceti also appears less short and bulky than labiatus, even in the field and the females are larger (>3.5mm) than the male. 1998 (Lott, D.) and 2010 (Alexander, K.) have provided the only recent records from the Sherwood Forest NNR, until we found C. querceti at Clipstone Old Quarter in 2011.
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Female Cryptocephalus querceti, photographed at Clipstone Old Quarter May 25th 2023
 
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Female Cryptocephalus querceti, photographed at Clipstone Old Quarter May 28th 2011
 
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Male Cryptocephalus querceti, photographed at Clipstone Old Quarter May 28th 2011
 
     
     
Differences in elytral puncturation between C. querceti (left) and C. labiatus ..For comparison
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Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Cryptocephalus querceti
 
Cryptocephalus querceti habitat in Sherwood Forest. Young Birch grow adjacent to this Oak, providing shelter. It is not known if this Oak may become less productive for querceti, if these Birches are removed during haloing around the ancient Oaks.
 
The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Natural England - Invertebrate Site Register 2006. Nick and Samantha Brownley.

You can contribute your own records to help us gain an accurate status of this species in Nottinghamshire. Send an Excel spreadsheet of your records via the 'contact us' link at the top of the homepage.

Updated January 2024

copyright © Trevor and Dilys Pendleton (www.eakringbirds.com) . .
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