Thick-legged Flower Beetle - Oedemera nobilis, click for a larger picture
Click for a larger picture
Pictures ©2007-2008, , FBCP

Thick-legged Flower Beetle - Oedemera nobilis
Family - Oedemeridae

A metallic-green slender beetle growing to about 10mm (0.4in) long, both males ♂, and females ♀ have this bright metalic colouration but only the males have the characteristic swollen or thick hind legs which are used during mating. It is usually seen from May to August and is common in the Southern UK, being found in gardens, grassland an woodland glades. It is commonly seen on flowers of the Oxeye Daisy, however they can also be seen feeding on pollen in a range of flowers, noteably the daisy, carrot and rose families, including hogweed, hawthorn, dogrose and bramble. The larval stage of this beetle feed and develop within plant stems. The Elytra taper and splay towards tip of abdomen and do not completely cover wings.

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