banner
Line ../ Line
back
Ampedus quercicola

There are quite a number of Click Beetles like this one, all in the Ampedus genus. Even though we can not be absolutely sure about its identity, we are pretty sure this is Ampedus quercicola. Especially the neck shield is more hairy than in other red-shielded species, a good characteristic of Ampedus quercicola.

Measuring 9 to 11 mm this is a striking species, for it is often seen during daylight feeding on the pollen of Hawthorn. Adults are mainly seen in May and June. The larvae live in rotting trees, probably for two years. In autumn they pupate, but the adult overwinters in the pupation chamber before appearing. A local species in Britain (Lincolnshire, Hampshire), a rather common species on the continent.