Green Dock Beetle - Gastrophysa viridula

Length 4 to 6 mm. A small green-golden beetle the elytra often seem to have a sheen.

Usually found on Dock plants, it can be seen anywhere that Dock is present, such as roadside verges and field margins. It is often seen near to water.

May and June.

The pregnant female is very noticeable. Her body becomes so swollen that the wing cases are totally displaced. The larvae feed on Dock leaves.

Common and widespread in Britain.

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 105 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.