Alder Leaf Beetle - Agelastica alni
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Species Description
Locally common in the South and Midlands. It was once extremely rare and even believed extinct. It is now making a dramatic comeback. Habitat includes: Anywhere with Alder's in places such as gardens, parks, allotments, churchyards, roadside verges, hedgerows, woodland, scrub, stream-sides, lake margins etc. Life story: Adults overwinter and emerge in the spring. Mating begins in April and females lay during May and June. Females attach groups of eggs to the leaf undersides of Alder (other trees may be used such as Beech, Hazel, Hornbeam), usually between 50 and 70 eggs in each batch and each will lay between 200 and 250. Larvae emerge 10-12 days later, they pass through 3 instars before being fully grown in 25-30 days; they feed communally, sometimes congregating in large numbers. Seen: Late spring to autumn. Length: 6 - 7 mm.