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Sunday
Apr262009

Green Dock Beetles

DateSun 2009-04-26

This morning I came across some small irridescent green beetles on some dock leaves in Reading University grounds.  'Complete British Insects' by Michael Chinery (Collins, 2005) showed them to be green dock beetles (Gastrophysa viridula).  First a lateral view of a male (or unmated female):

A dorsal view of a male (or unmated female):

Next a lateral view of a mated female.  Note the bulging black abdomen which is now far too big to be covered by the green elytra (wing cases).

And finally a dorsal view of a mated female.

AuthorTristram Brelstaff | CommentPost a Comment |
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