Took a photo of this beetle and there were several others nearby, on a variety of meadow plants including self-heal. It looks like it could be Blue mint leaf beetle chrysolina coerulans, in which case it has only been seen in UK since about 2011. I tried to submit it as a record but was unable to upload my photograph. What do others think?
Comments
Yes I have been reading a…
Yes I have been reading a description of Altica Lythri and it is likely that is what it is. Should I enter it as that?
Altica
It isn't possible to be sure which species it is so best not to record it. I know it can be frustrating to have a good image but not have a name for the species but with many invertebrates we just have to be satisfied with knowing the type of species it is. The alternative is to learn how to identify the group by keying out a specimen but you need a stereo microscope for this.
blue mint beetle
Altica lythri is found near water, and feeds on a variety of plants, Chrysolina coerulans appears exclusively confined to mint
It looks like Altica, possibly A. lythri?