Green Leaf beetle Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis

[nomad]

The small Green Leaf beetle Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis (Linnaeus, 1758) of the  Chrysomelidae family is a scarce species in the UK. This species is strongly associated with dry chalk or limestone grassland in Southern England, where it likes to feed on the yellow flowers of Hieracium of the Asteraceae family.

I found several of these little green jewels feeding at Hieracium flowers on a south facing bank in the Stroud area of Gloucestershire, which is its headquarters in that county.








Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis June 2016.

[isidro]

Your second photo is really spectacular!
I've photographed this species in blue:

[nomad]

Thank you. A very nice blue form and I am not sure we have that here. Is there a name for your blue form of hypochaeridis.

[klaas]

Where was the blue "hypocharidis" found? There are several species occuring in Europe.

Best regards
Klaas

[isidro]

In the mountains of Teruel, in NE Spain. I also have the blue form of C. globicollis.

[nomad]

Another image of this scarce little Jewel showing this species in a different light. Taken in the Cotswolds at the end of July.