Cionus hortulanus

Appearance

''Cionus hortulanus'' can reach a length of 3–4.6 millimetres . These tiny beetles have a short, oblong and convex body, a conical thorax and a long thin rostrum. Thorax and elytra are covered with grey scales.

The basic body color is grey-brown, with one large velvety black spot in the middle of the elytra and a smaller one at the apex. The elytra bears four raised lines with a series of black markings. The antennae are reddish.

Naming

The genus name ''Cionus'' derives from the Greek ''kíonos'', meaning ''column'', with reference to the shape of the snout. The Latin species name ''hortulanus'' means ''garden warden''.

Distribution

This species is present in most of Europe, in NW Africa, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, Iran, Siberia, Central Asia and India. These beetles mainly inhabit meadows and hedge rows.

Behavior

Adults of these beetles can be found from June to September. They feed on leaves of ''Buddleja'' and ''Verbascum'' species, while larvae feed on Water Figwort , Common Figwort and Great Mullein . Females lay eggs on leaves of the host plants.

Habitat

This species is present in most of Europe, in NW Africa, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, Iran, Siberia, Central Asia and India. These beetles mainly inhabit meadows and hedge rows.