Longitarsus suturellus

1.8-3mm. This small beetle has pale yellow elytra with a central dark stripe along the suture which broadens around the scutellum. The head and pronotum are dark with variable tones of red through black. The legs are yellow except for the black hind femora. The basal antennal segments are pale, then dark to the tip. Elytral punctuation is fine and not in clear rows, with reticulation between the punctures (view at x40). The pronotal punctures are finer than those on the elytra.

Longitarsus can be recognised as a genus by the combination of the thickened hind femora and a very elongated first segment of the hind tarsi.

Other Longitarsus species.

• 1.8-3mm
• thickened hind femora and elongated basal segments of the hind tarsi
• ovate with yellow elytra and a central dark stripe, wider at the scutellum
• red-black head and pronotum
• pale basal segments of the antennae (the rest dark)
• elytral punctuation fine with reticulation between
• pronotal punctuation finer than that on the elytra

Keying of a specimen is necessary. Please note the features that identify this species.

It feeds on Asteraceae, especially on Ragwort.

Widespread and reasonably common.

Widespread and reasonably common.