Donacia semicuprea

Reed beetles ( Donacia semicuprea )

The reed beetles ( Donacia semicuprea ) is a beetle of the family of leaf beetles.

Description

The reed beetle is about 1 cm long. Recognized for the shiny metallic elytra. The metallic shimmer varies between bluish, greenish and coppery.

Habitat

One finds this type of shore zones of lakes, ponds, pools, backwaters and meadow ditches throughout Europe. Especially in summer, it can be frequently observed on reed stalks.

Reproduction

After mating in the riparian vegetation, the females lay the eggs just above or below the water level in jellies from. The larvae have two different attachments on the abdomen, with which they pierce the air-containing tissues of plants in order to supply themselves with oxygen. Pupation takes place in air-filled cocoons beneath the water surface. The finished beetles hatch in autumn, but remain until spring in the cocoons.

Food

The adult beetles are like the larvae vegetarians. They feed on soft stems and leaves sections of the riparian and aquatic plants. The larvae, however, suck on underwater plants.