| Chrysolina
oricalcia is one of a range of leaf beetles
belonging to the Chrysomelidae group, with the
most well known member being the infamous Colorado
Beetle. This seems to be a common species where it
occurs, but we have only found it occasionally on Cow
Parsley in a few areas of Sherwood Forest. We have
recorded it once during the Winter months, on a mild late
November evening in 2008, when one was found at the base
of a tree during a moth trapping session. Despite being
just under 10mm in length, this is an easy species to
spot on the stems of Cow Parsley and comes in two colour
forms, both of which are shown below. This beetle is
classed as Nb (Nationally
Scarce Grade B. Recorded in 31-100 10km squares since
1980) |
