David Element's Wildlife Web Page Beetles 10

David Element

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_______________________________________ Beetles 10

GROUND BEETLE Elaphrus riparius

BLOODY-NOSED BEETLE Timarcha tenebricosa

MELOID BEETLE Mylabris variabilis

LONGHORN BEETLE Brachyleptura cordigera

BLACK-HEADED CARDINAL BEETLE Pyrochroa coccinea

ASPARAGUS BEETLES Crioceris asparagi

Members of several beetle families are shown. Pictures 2 - 6 were taken in the South of France. The fast moving and cryptically patterned Elaphrus riparius inhabits the muddy surrounds of ponds and it is remarkably well camouflaged in this habitat - the outline is difficult to make out even in this close-up view. The lower photograph of the Bloody-nosed Beetle clearly illustrates the origins of the eponym of this species. Reflex bleeding is normally used to deter predators, but on this occasion an attempted rescue operation (i.e. removing the beetle from a road by picking it up and tossing it gently into the nearby embankment) went slightly askew when the beetle hit a branch during its descent and reflex-bled in understandable protest! Mylabris variabilis is commonly found feeding on flowers in southern France, presumably eating pollen. British oil beetles do not share this striking coloration, which almost certainly advertises the distasteful nature of this beetle. Brachyleptura cordigera is one of a number of similar red and black European longhorn (longicorn) beetles. The Black-headed Pyrochroa coccinea is the rarer of the two British Cardinal Beetles. See also Beetles 17. Asparagus Beetles will be familiar to all Asparagus growers within its range. The eggs of this species (not shown) are enormous in comparison with the size of their parents.