European Elm Flea Weevil - Orchestes alni

A very small weevil. Each red/orange wing case (elytron) usually has two or more dark blotches, which gives this weevil a rather ladybird like appearance, but it is easily distinguished as a weevil by the distinctive long snout.  The larva mines Elm, creating a narrow gallery starting from the midrib, widening into a blotch at the leaf-edge. 

Adult mine

Unless identified by a recognised expert, good photos are required that show the key ID features. Also state the beetle's size in the comments box. If recording the leaf mine, a backlit phto showign the full extent of the mine is needed, and the host plant should be noted

Orchestes alni is associated with Elm.

The adults are seen around mid summer.

Records for this species are mainly from the southern half of England.

Infrequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.