Biology:Plagiodera versicolora
| Plagiodera versicolora | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Genus: | Plagiodera |
| Species: | P. versicolora
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| Binomial name | |
| Plagiodera versicolora Laicharting, 1781
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Plagiodera versicolora is a species of leaf beetle (subfamily Chrysomelinae) in the genus Plagiodera.[1]
Description
Plagiodera versicolora grows to 2.5 - 4.8 mm in length and is metallic blue or green, occasionally purplish to black in colour.[2]
Habitat
Plagiodera versicolora lives in various habitats, but usually near water.[2] Adults feed on leaves and pollen of willow and poplar trees, especially Salix fragilis ('crack willow').[2][3] It is predated by the shieldbug Zicrona caerulea, several ladybird species and the larva of a hoverfly (Parasyrphus sp.).
Life cycle
Adults overwinter under logs, loose bark and among vegetable litter near the host plant and become active during April.[4] Fully developed larvae may be found from June onwards and pupation occurs under the leaves of the host plant.[4] Freshly emerged adults occur from mid-July and fly in hot weather, occasionally found far from their hosts, especially along river margins.[4]
Distribution
It is fairly common in central and southern England , with scattered records from Wales and Ireland and no records from Scotland.[2] It has been introduced in North America.[5]
Gallery
Plagiodera versicolora
Larva and adults
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References
- ↑ "Plagiodera Dejean, 1837". National Biodiversity Network. https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NBNSYS0000011177.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Plagiodera versicolora (Laicharting, 1781)". Coleoptera.org. http://www.coleoptera.org.uk/species/plagiodera-versicolora.
- ↑ Hubble, David (2012). Keys to the Adults of Seed and Leaf Beetles of Britain and Ireland. Field Studies Council. p. 52. ISBN 9781908819086.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Plagiodera versicolora (Laicharting, 1781)". Watford Coleopter Group. http://thewcg.org.uk/chrysomelidae/0190g.htm.
- ↑ Bugguide.net. Species Plagiodera versicolora - Imported Willow Leaf Beetle
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q476022 entry
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