Beetle ID

[razza101]

Taken in West Midlands UK

Thanks in advance

imgur.com/gallery/4yqkx6y

[razza101]

Given my last couple of posts went unheeded I suspect there are very few UK members. However to help with a possible ID of this beetle, I have attached a picture of larvae taken about a month ago in the exact same spot where the beetle was found (there were numerous larave and beetle). It looks like alder leaf beetle larvae (thought extinct in the UK until 2004). However the adult beetle is very similar to altica lythri. Any ideas?

imgur.com/gallery/BaQaXQf

[Adam Cotton]

I guess it's more an issue of there not being so many UK members who have knowledge about local beetles. There are a significant number of UK members of Insectnet, although there are many more from across the Pond.

I am originally from your area myself (born in Birmingham) but have lived in Thailand since 1981, and I suspect that even if I was still in the UK I wouldn't know very much about the Chrysomelid beetles in your photos. My speciality is one family of butterflies, and must admit to only having very basic knowledge of most other insects.

Hopefully someone can add an informed reply.

Adam.

[johnnyboy]

I think that you are correct in saying it's an Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni, 7mm long adult? Both larva and adult look right for that species.

Johnny

[razza101]

Many thanks for the responses