Grammoptera ruficornis

3-7mm - one of our smallest longhorn beetles. It is brownish or dark grey with silky hairs on the wing cases, giving it a sheen. It has long red/black banded antennae, where the 2nd segment is elongate - features which distinguish it from the other two Grammoptera species found in Britain. All three have bulbous femora (top segment of the leg).

The other two Grammoptera species are both rare. G. abdominalis is larger and lacks the elongate 2nd antennal segment and also has uniformly dark antennae. G. ustulata is similar to abdominalis but usually appears more golden due to the pale hairs on its elytra.

Common on flowers especially Hawthorn and Hogweed and sometimes in well wooded areas.

Early summer.

Larvae feed on wood of dead twigs. Adults feed on nectar and pollen of flowers.

Common and widespread in England and Wales.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 130 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.