Beetles for ID

[nutmeg]

I saw these beetles in the Lincolnshire Limewoods yesterday and am hoping for some help in identifying them.

The first was small and seemed to mainly be on lime leaves. I couldn't get a clear photo of it (was battling the wind!). It has a grey pattern on the elytra:






These beetles were plentiful on sallow. Several species look similar, but I wondered if identification is possible from a photo like this:




A small weevil:



Thanks.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Rachel,

I can't help with the first (maybe a Dermestid/Anobiid), but will be interested in the replies from anyone who can! The next are a pair of Chrysomelids from the Galerucinae sub-family (Lochmaea sp.?), and the last a Rhynchitid weevil.

Take care,

Jason

[Klaas Reißmann]

No.1 and 2 is family Buprestidae, the very small Trachys-genus, Trachys minutus living on willow.


No.3 does not make it easy. Genus Lochmaea is absolutely right. There are only three species in Central Europa of which one is of red colour an living on Crataegus, Lochmaea crataegi, which is not. The other two are difficult to separate on photo. A photo from above would make the ID easier, but I think I'm right by saying it is Lochmaea capreae.

The family of no.4 is absolutely right, too. It is the very common guest of birch and alder, Deporaus betulae. It is a pitty I can't see the hindfemur well, so I can't tell if male or female.

Regards
Klaas

[Jason Green]

What would the hind femur show sex-wise, and is that how you sex Rhynchitids?

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi Jason,

it is only in this species and the hind femur of the male is very thick. The males look like the beetles of genug Rhynchaenus (Jumping-weevil?), whereas the femal have got more or less normal hind femora.

In some other species of the Rhynchitidae male and female can be separated by the length of their snouts (have a look at Rhynchites bacchus or Caenorhinus aeneovirens) or by some thorns reaching from the front third of the thorax in 45° left and right (see Rhynchites auratus) or straight forward (see the two Byctiscus species).

Have a look at those beetle species at

Rhynchitidae (Triebstecher) Deutschland Fotoübersicht - kerbtier.de

Regards
Klaas

[Jason Green]

Thanks Klaas!

[nutmeg]

Thank you Jason and Klaas for your help - very interesting information too. The Trachys minutus is one I'd never noticed before and will now have to see if I can spot any of the mines.