Altica palustris?

[rowanalder]

Hi everyone,

I found this the otherday, just run it through the AIDGAP key is it Altica palustris?



Cheers,

Ro

[Jason Green]

It certainly has the Altica look in my opinion. As for palustris I personally haven't spent much tim taking these to species-level as I believe they are best done on male genitalia.

Then again, I'm not familiar with this species, so will await on someone else the chance it's one of the simpler ones. Do you 'feel' it's correct? There's a lot to be said for self-intuition as I believe this is a case of Then when you've done several Altica species, you'll be able to go back and re-key to check.

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi Rowan,

it is Altica, but without dissection of the genitalia there will be no way to identify down to the species.

Regards
Klaas

[rowanalder]

Thanks guys,

When I read through the key it said about the dissection being the only sure way of identification. I had a look through the key anyway this seemed the most likley species. I will note it down as an Altica sp. until I disect it and have a look at it. Don't know if you can tell from the picture but is this a male?

Cheers Ro.

[Jason Green]

Whilst the elytra give the beetle the larger female-look I think the tarsi have a swollen segment perhaps indicating a male. I'd await Klaas on that. I'd only suggest you collect several next time to make sure you get at least one male.

Dissection isn't easy at first, but none-the-less a skill to master. It gets easier, and the finds you can confirm going down this route make it all worthwhile.

[Klaas Reißmann]

Jason told what can be told to differenciate between male and female. Problem is, that many Altica do have no or just very rarely male. You need the Spermatheka of the female, but I'm not sure how good this is for ID.

Regards
Klaas

[Jason Green]

...the spermatheca is that horrible stringy thing, isn't it?

[Klaas Reißmann]

Yes, it is, and it is even not sure you will get the ID by taking the spermatheka.

Regards
Klaas

[rowanalder]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. I will leave this one for future dissection then, once I have had a bit of practice. Unfortunatley this was the only one I could find at the time (It was in a water container) I will have another look in the garden next time i'm at work.

Cheers,

Ro

[Jason Green]

Dissection can be a good winter job - I did a few Psallus males from the spring. Just be careful when it's dry!

Try sweeping grasses for them. Some can be found in February/March when little else of such is active.