Common Malachite Beetle - Malachius bipustulatus

Length: 5.5-6 mm. Easily recognised by the twin red spots on its metallic green elytra.

The adult beetle is a predator and is found mainly on vegetation, where it hunts on flowers and amongst grasses.

From April to July/August.

Later in its season, it is also found on trees where it lays its eggs in cracks in the bark. The larvae are predacious on smaller insects living under the loose bark of trees.

Widespread and common in England and Wales.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 111 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.