Green dock leaf beetle

[adampembs]

While looking for rusts, I came across these, which a Google search quickly revealed to be Gastrophysa viridula - Green Dock Leaf Beetle. Had to create a new forum

[marksteer]

Is this the one when eggs hatch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrophysa_viridula
Docks in Brynna Woods always show 'holes' I presume this maybe culprit?

[adampembs]

Yep

[jimmymac2]

Those eggs are certainly Green Dock Beetle, Adam!
They're very common this year, this is the first year I've found one in my local nature reserve. Does anyone else think they're more common this year? There is definitely a huge amount of pregnant females.

[diggleken]

So guys, Jimmy partic I suspect - is this right - from a bioblitz at the weekend - I've been puzzling them?
Cheers
Ken

[Wood Wanderer]

Must be an excellent year for them, seem to be on every other dock leaf around here ...

Thanks for the ID Adam and Jimmy, was wondering what they were

John

[Chris Yeates]

Note also the developing white tufts of conidia of the "hyphomycete" fungus Ramularia rubella "NE" of the eggs . . . .

Chris

[Wood Wanderer]

Note also the developing white tufts of conidia of the "hyphomycete" fungus Ramularia rubella "NE" of the eggs . . . .

Chris

Thanks for that Chris, I did wonder if it was a fungus but well outside my limited expertise...

John

[jimmymac2]

So guys, Jimmy partic I suspect - is this right - from a bioblitz at the weekend - I've been puzzling them?
Cheers
Ken

Hi Ken,
These look a bit too roundish for Green Dock Beetle, don't you think? Wood Wanderer's photo and Adam's photo are much more elongated. And was it definitely on Dock? The leaf looked quite hairy and they will mainly (or only) lay their eggs on Dock leaves.

[diggleken]

Thanks Jimmy,
I have no experience of these eggs - the adults were noted there though, close by, in a damp place.
But they were also stood up as butterflies lay them, not prone as in the other pics on this thread.
The leaves may well be something else, Coltsfoot /Butterbur, but I didn't pay attention...............
Its not crucial, but thanks anyway..........I may never know, I'll pay more attention next time - learning curve for egg watching!
Cheers
Ken

[diggleken]

so I did find some on Dock - plus an adult , I think they get like this after mating, gravidly bloated I guess.
Cheers
Ken