Please help with ID of this 'ladybird'

trevorc28 · #1 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 07:44 PM

Can someone tell me what this is please. I assume it's a ladybird but not one that I know and the red head has thrown me

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 08:21 PM

Welcome to the site.
This isn't a ladybird (which don't have striations/pits on their wing-cases) neither, I think, is it one of the usual suspects for apparent ladybirds (handsome fungus beetles, Endomychidae, for instance). I suspect that it's a leaf beetle, Chrysomelidae, but it's too late for my brain to work on them at this time of night! If no one else replies tonight, I'll have another think tomorrow!

tameblackbirds · #3 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 08:26 PM

some kind of beetle fooling as ladybird to deter predators

Fauna · #4 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 09:42 PM

Pale brown legs...i'm also sure you can see some pale colour around the clypeus (?) which would point to Gonioctena decemnotata. Which is a nice find as they are a fairly scarce beetle.

Regards Chris.

trevorc28 · #5 (**permalink**) 15-06-2011, 09:59 PM

Thanks for that I've found some pictures on line and I think you are right.

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 16-06-2011, 10:14 AM

That's it; if it had black legs it would be G. viminalis both can be quite numerous when they are present on poplar or willow trees. Might be worth noting that in the older literature Gonioctena is Phytodecta!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fauna

Pale brown legs...i'm also sure you can see some pale colour around the clypeus (?) which would point to Gonioctena decemnotata. Which is a nice find as they are a fairly scarce beetle.

Regards Chris.