L: 15-20mm (largest leaf beetle in Central Europe), flightless
Timarcha tenebricosa is monophagous, the larva feed exclusively on bedstraws, especially species with tender leaves (
Galium verum,
Galium mollugo). Eggs are laid in spring on bedstraws. Larvae are quite large (up to 20 mm) blue-black in color. Pupa overwinter [Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timarcha_tenebricosa].
Timarcha tenebricosa FABRICIUS, 1775 (Bloody-nosed beetle, Tatzenkfer ODER Labkraut-Blattkfer)Genus:
Timarcha LATREILLE, 1829Tribus: TimarchiniSubfamily: Chrysomelinae LATREILLE, 1802Family: Chrysomelidae LATREILLE, 1802 (leaf beetles, Blattkfer)Superfamily: Chrysomeloidea Infraorder: Cucujiformia LAMEERE, 1938 Suborder: PolyphagaOrder: Coleoptera (beetles, Kfer)Subclass: PterygotaClass: Insecta (insects, Insekten)Subphylum: HexapodaPhylum: Arthropodataxonomical info:
eol.org/pages/3288118/overviewhost plant:Order: Gentianales (Enzianartige)Family: Rubiaceae (Rtegewchse)Subfamily: RubioideaeTribe: RubieaeGenus:
Galium L. (bedstraws, Labkruter)
Galium verum Echtes Labkraut
Galium mollugo Wiesen-LabkrautGermany, Bavaria: vic Regensburg (Hammermhle), 250-450m asl., 23.07.2011_______________________________________________100mm macro (canon 2.8), 1/125s, f/7.1, ISO500, 0EV, AL (no flash), hand-held;IMG_3625