Forum Entomologi Italiani

What is this bug? It is Silpha sp.???

This image is too dark to identify the specie. I can just confirm it is a Silpha sp.

Could you try to send a better photo? It's better if it's possible to see also the head and legs!

Please add the collecting data and size.

I tried to improve your photo, but it's not possible to get what there is not in the original one!

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Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/

Czech Republic, 22.6.2010, on strawberries.

In my opinion this is a Silpha alpestris Kraatz, 1876.
But I can't be completely sure without a better photo. There is a possibility it is Silpha tyrolensis Laicharting 1781.
Usually this second species is brownish, but there are also totally black specimens.
Could you check if there are 3 costae on each elytron (tyrolensis) or just 1 (alpestris - only the external costa, the other two are very difficult to see)?

_________________
Maurizio Gigli
http://utenti.romascuola.net/bups
http://bup.xoom.it/