Insect.
The oedemera is a small beetle, only reaching 1 cm (.4 in) in length.
Oedemeras love flowers and are particularly active on hot, sunny
days. It is easy to tell males and females apart because the males have
extra large thighs, making them look quite muscular. Larvae develop in
the stems of old plants. Beetles have two sets of wings. Their “elytra” wings
make a hard shell partially protecting their flying wings. Their
metallic coloring is in the elytra. In order to fly, the beetles must
raise the elytra to free up their flying wings. The oedemera's scientific
name means “noble
oedemera.” |
Scientific
Name |
Lifespan |
Oedemera nobilis |
About a year |
Diet |
Herbivore. Pollen from flowers. Larvae eat plant stems, in which they develop. |
Predators and Threats |
Birds, toads, and insectivores. |
Habitat |
They favor grassy areas and places to feed on flowers. Widespread across Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. |