Anaspis maculata

2.4-3.1mm. This is a small, elongate beetle which is usually yellowish-brown with variable black markings. However there are several colour forms including an all-yellow variant. The standard and most common form has a dark triangular mark around the scutellum, a pair of dark spots near the midpoint on the elytra and a final black spot across the suture near the apices. The legs and base of the antennae are yellow.

Males and females can have different features and should be keyed separately. British Scraptidae by Brian Levey (RES Handbook) is the best key.

if 'standard' colour form

• 2.4-3.1mm
• Epipleura (the elytral edge tucked under the body) extending to at least the hind coxa

Females (without ventral appendages)

• Antennal segments 9 & 10 slightly longer than wide (and very narrowed at the base)
• Antennal segment 7 narrower than 8
• Longest tibial spur on the hind leg a quarter to a third the length of the first tarsal segment

Males (with ventral appendages)

• Antennal segment 10 as wide as long (8+9 strongly narrowed at the base)
• Mid tibia with posterior margin sinuate and strongly broadened at the base
• Tarsi on the front leg enlarged (segment 2 twice as long as 1)
• Ventral appendages nearly straight

Adults occur in very large numbers on open structured flowers such as Hawthorn or Elder blossom, Hogweed and Daisy flowers

Late spring and early summer.

When disturbed they drop from the trees en masse and then skip around on the ground to confuse predators.

Fairly common and widespread in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 148 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.

Tumbling Flower Beetles have hind legs that are flattened and have an enlarged femur which they use to kick when they are on a hard surface.