Beetle for ID

onlyricky · #1 (**permalink**) 23-03-2010, 09:35 PM

I've spent my whole afternoon on books searching for the ID of this beetle, but I've not found any ID for it.

found today in North of Portugal.
and if you guys know it, could you guys give me some information about it?
thanks ^^

paul m · #2 (**permalink**) 24-03-2010, 08:05 AM

I can't say that I know it but it's a leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae); I think Oedionychus cinctus but there may be closely related species. This is commonly called the plantain beetle. You can just make out the long, strong back legs which allow the beetle to jump considerable distances - like a flea beetle!
Perhaps someone knows more?

onlyricky · #3 (**permalink**) 24-03-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul m

I can't say that I know it but it's a leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae); I think Oedionychus cinctus but there may be closely related species. This is commonly called the plantain beetle. You can just make out the long, strong back legs which allow the beetle to jump considerable distances - like a flea beetle!
Perhaps someone knows more?

this is a good thing! Now I know exactly in which family I can go search on, more carefully

by the way, YES, they jumped! I mean, I've seen it, I was taking the picture, but I got closer and it suddently jumped.. I've even thought I was the responsable, since I touched the leaf [I thought I made it move and make him getting thrown... damn]

thanks a lot for the info

paul m · #4 (**permalink**) 24-03-2010, 02:15 PM

Yes, I see one of its names is the plantain flea beetle. There seem to be several species of 'plantain beetles' feeding on Plantago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia I suppose rather than the tropical fruit!

With leaf beetles it's usually true that if you find one on its host plant then you'll find a lot! Look around for some plantains/[i]Plantago[-I] .....