Water-lily Leaf Beetle - Galerucella nymphaeae
Size: 4 to 8 mm. Basic colour varies from yellowish brown to brick-red and the elytra usually have a paler margin.
Galerucella nymphaeae is almost identical to G. sagittariae and they cannot easily be distinguished, though the food plant helps with sagittariae on Water Dock and other emergent plants and nymphaeae on Water-lilies.
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. It is also essential to state whether the species was found on its foodplant as this is a major factor in determining the species.
On Water-lilies.
Summer and autumn.
Adults hibernate under leaf sheaths of Bulrush (Typha latifolia)
Widespread and fairly frequent in England and Wales.
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
Tim Sexton
Rutland Water Nature Reserve
21 June 2022
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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Species profile
- Common names
- Water-Lily Leaf Beetle
- Species group:
- Beetles
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Coleoptera
- Family:
- Chrysomelidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 5
- First record:
- 21/06/2022 (Sexton, Timothy)
- Last record:
- 04/08/2024 (Pochin, Christine)
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% of records within its species group
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