Glischrochilus quadripunctatus explained

Glischrochilus quadripunctatus, commonly known as the European bark beetle predator is a species of beetle in the genus Glischrochilus of the family Nitidulidae.[1]

Description

The species is approximately 4–6 mm in length and is a uniform dark colouration on its head, thorax and abdomen. It has four prominent orange blotches on the elytra. The body of G. quadripunctatus is smooth and shiny and the rear edge of the thorax is narrower than the elytra.[2]

It is very similar in appearance to Glischrochilus hortensis.

Distribution

It is one of the three species of Glischrochilus found in the United Kingdom[3] and has a wide distribution in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Habitat

It is active all-year round, but most often found in the months March to November around conifers.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Glischrochilus (Glischrochilus) quadripunctatus (Linnaeus, 1758) . National Biodiversity Network . 25 January 2017 . 2 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043058/https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NHMSYS0020152188 . live .
  2. Book: Chinery, M. . 2012 . Insects of Britain and Western Europe . Revised 3rd . Bloomsbury . 274.
  3. Web site: Glischrochilus hortensis . NatureSpot . 6 May 2016 . 5 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160605001126/http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/glischrochilus-hortensis . live .