| Rearing
Cryptocephalus pusillus in
captivity |
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| Despite supposedly
being one of the commoner Cryptocephalus
beetles, Cryptocephalus pusillus is one of the
most difficult to find. To date, we have only found it at
Warsop Main Pit Top, where adults tend to favour Grey
Alder growing along one of the former rail service lines
and at Gamston Wood near Retford, where we found it on a
small, coppiced Hazel growing along a sunny ride. Like
all Cryptocephalus species, C. pusillus
mates readily in captivity, even in the collection pot. |
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| Cryptocephalus pusillus mating
pair and the female covering a freshly laid egg in faeces
to produce the characteristic 'pot'. Photographed at
Warsop Main Pit Top in July 2009. |
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| Cryptocephalus pusillus pots.
The pots are rather similar to those of
Cryptocephalus querceti, but quite unevenly shaped
and small, measuring around 0.75mm in length. After
mating, females tend to produce the first pot within
around 36 hours, but pot production seems slower than in
some other species. Photographed July 2nd 2012. |
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| Cryptocephalus pusillus pots
after hatching from July 22nd onwards. Although the
adults that produced these pots, seem to prefer a diet of
Grey Alder at Warsop Main Pit Top, given the choice the
larvae seem to prefer Birch leaves. By July 29th, some of the older larvae are
already extending their pots and the characteristic Cryptocephalus
pot shape is taking place. Early development has seemed
slower than other species reared in captivity, with all
pots still only 1mm in length. |
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