Coleoptera

Oedemeridae

False Blister Beetles

Oedemeridae are generally quite elongated beetles with soft bodies and a metallic sheen. Out of the 1500 species known worldwide, only 7 occur in Britain.

Male Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) - Anglesey, Wales - May 2009

Oedemera nobilis is an abundant species in western and southern Europe reaching as far north as northern England. It is most often found in flowers of a variety of species feeding on nectar and pollen.

Male Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) - Gwynedd, Wales - June 2008

Only the males have the characteristically swollen rear femurs. Females have more normally proportioned legs.

Female Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) - Anglesey, Wales - July 2008

Female Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) - Anglesey, Wales - July 2008

Some individuals have a coppery/bronze colour instead of the usual irredescent green.

Female Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) - Anglesey, Wales - July 2008

Female Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) - East Yorkshire, England - May 2009