Blue Willow Beetle - Phratora vulgatissima

4-5mm. Usually blue and shiny, but despite the common name it can vary in colour from blue/green to bronze/black. It is generally oblong in shape with a pronotum that has parallel sides and a fine basal margin. Legs and antennae are dark. The elytra have ragged punctate striae and are rugose at the sides, particularly at the front. There is a lateral keel that extends at least two thirds of the way along the elytra.

• 4-5mm
• metallic blue (green or almost black)
• pronotum with parallel sides,sparse punctures + fine basal margin
• elytra with ragged rows of punctures, sides rugose
• lateral keel at least 2/3 length of elytra

Usually found on Willow and Aspen, but may venture onto other plants.

Found mainly in the summer months.

Both the adults and their larvae feed on the leaves of Willow and in some areas can be pest.

Common and widespread throughout Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 13 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.