Green weevil

[peterbolson]

Found in wet woodland. 7mm long.
Is this Phyllobius argentatus ?

[Rossco]

Definitely a Phyllobius, but there are several species. You'd have to go through the relevant key to be sure.

[peterbolson]

Thanks Rossco
What other green Phyllobius sp. have red legs and a tooth on the femora ?
Peter

[Rossco]

All of them have a toothed femora and the appearance of this specimen is more suggestive of a thoroughly spent P. glaucus.

[peterbolson]

Thanks again Rossco. Very helpful.
There was a posting on WAB a couple of years ago in which it was said that Phyllobius roberetana doesn't have this tooth. Is this wrong ?
Incidentally would you recommend Mike Morris's FSC key to broad-nosed weevils ?
Peter

[Rossco]

Peter

You're right. It seems P. roboretanus, P. virideaeris, P. viridicollis all lack the distinctive toothed femora, so you have to rely on where the antennae are inserted on the head to determine the genus in these beetles. Apologies for the confusion, but these are three species I've never seen.

As for that key, it's good (well, as good as a key can be). I used to have a copy, but I've mislaid it.

Ta

Ross

[oxycera]

It may not be generally known, but Canon Fowler's magnificent volumes on British beetles may be downloaded for free at 'Internet Archive'. OK, its out of date, but for checking through many genera it is still more than useful and overall a brilliant piece of work.

[Rossco]

That's useful to know John - thanks. I've used bits of it before with varying levels of success.

[Jason Green]

Evening Peter,

A classic microscope job, of various easily-acccessed physical features from what I've read.

Try this, http://www.thewcg.org.uk/keys/keyphy....asp?StepNum=1, from an excellent site.

Take care,

Jason