For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Mint Leaf Beetles
Scientific name: Chrysolina herbacea (formerly Chrysolina menthastri)
Size: Up to 10mm long
Distribution: Found mainly in the south and up to the Midlands of England and Wales. A few sightings in Scotland
Months seen: May to September
Life span: Just over 1 year
Habitat: Gardens, damp meadows and riversides
Food: Mint
Special features: The mint leaf beetle, as the name suggests can normally be found in the summer months munching away at the leaves of various mint plants. Its whole body is a jewel-like iridescent green colour which is peppered with tiny little indentaions. Both the larvae and the adult beetles feed on mint.
There is another similar looking species which also feeds on mint, but is an iridescent blue colour. As you might expect it's called the Blue Mint Beetle (Chrysolina coerulans)
Sightings
2012 - Sherborne, Gloucestershire - G. Bradley
2014 - Caithness - Margaret Bruce
2015 - Cheltenham, Gloucstershire - Alice Boston
2017 - Sibford Ferris, Oxfordshire - Carole Dean
Related Pages
