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Clytra quadripunctata vs laeviuscula Over large parts of northern and central Europe these are the two Clytra spp. that often get confused, so here is a quick and dirty ID help.<br />
Some keys stress that laeviuscula normally has much larger hind spots, that may even blend into an uninterrupted band and that quadripunctata has a much smaller hind spot that doesn&#039;t reach the margins of each elytron, but clearly that is NOT a reliable character for ID (see top corner insets).<br />
Best character for photo ID is the pronotum:<br />
The disc is almost smooth (_very_ finely punctate) on laeviuscula and clearly punctate on quadripunctata and the lateral margin is widly emarignate with a rough surface on quadripunctata and only narrowly emarignate and smooth on laeviuscula<br />
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That said: On most average photos this is quite hard to appreciate correctly, so always make a point of getting this in focus on a few close-up shots!   Chrysomelidae,Clytra,Clytra laeviuscula,Clytra quadripunctata,Clytrinae,Clytrini,Leaf beetle ID help,nl: Gewone mierenzakkever,nl: Gladde mierenzakkever Click/tap to enlarge

Clytra quadripunctata vs laeviuscula

Over large parts of northern and central Europe these are the two Clytra spp. that often get confused, so here is a quick and dirty ID help.
Some keys stress that laeviuscula normally has much larger hind spots, that may even blend into an uninterrupted band and that quadripunctata has a much smaller hind spot that doesn't reach the margins of each elytron, but clearly that is NOT a reliable character for ID (see top corner insets).
Best character for photo ID is the pronotum:
The disc is almost smooth (_very_ finely punctate) on laeviuscula and clearly punctate on quadripunctata and the lateral margin is widly emarignate with a rough surface on quadripunctata and only narrowly emarignate and smooth on laeviuscula

That said: On most average photos this is quite hard to appreciate correctly, so always make a point of getting this in focus on a few close-up shots!

    comments (8)

  1. I need constant reminders to take multiple angles in the field, and these really help, thanks! Posted 7 years ago
    1. This one is a case of multiple species from different locations/countries I'm afraid:
      The Clytra quadripunctata is from the Netherlands, the laeviuscula is from France
      Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
  2. PS: was this also in France? A few more that hopefully can be mapped to a country:
    https://www.jungledragon.com/user/3043/unmapped

    Except of course for the ones showing multiple species from multiple locations.
    Posted 7 years ago
    1. [v] done ;o) Posted 7 years ago
      1. Thanks so much! And sorry to be so insisting on this, I hope you understand why :) Posted 7 years ago
  3. Another fantastic, educational collage. I love these! Thanks for sharing. Posted 7 years ago
    1. Hi Christine and thank you. As a native English speaker would you have preferred "punctuated" as opposed to "punctured" in the captions. I seem to find both in publications and opted for the shorter version, but of course many publications are not by native English speakers and in retrospect I'm not unambiguously happy with my choice. Should I change it you think? Cheers, Arp Posted 7 years ago
      1. Good question...entomologists usually say "punctation" in English. Here is the definition:

        Punctation: relating to a punctate surface texture.

        Punctate: a surface texture characterized by numerous puncture-like marks or impressions, often described in terms of puncture size, shape, and density.

        So, for example, in sentences, that could be: The clypeus is punctate. The elytra have punctations.

        I have heard people say "punctuated", but wonder if that is because of a misspelling, autocorrect, or lack of understanding. I have not heard the term "punctured" used in this sense, but I'm sure it is also acceptable. So, you can change it to "punctate/punctated/punctation", or leave it if you wish :)



        Posted 7 years ago

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By Pudding4brains

Public Domain
Uploaded Jul 26, 2018.