Tansy beetle  (Chrysolina graminis)

Included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme.

The tansy beetle is an attractive bright green leaf beetle, with a coppery sheen (2). The wing cases were so admired by Victorians that they were used as sequins (3).

This beetle was once very widespread in Britain, but is currently endangered (3). It is now restricted to the banks of the River Ouse around York (3).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Occurs on Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) beside riverbanks (1).

Little is known of the ecology of this species.

Reasons for the devastating decline of this beautiful beetle are unknown (3). Present threats include shading mainly by willows, planted to help to stabilise the riverbank, or the introduced plant Himalayan balsam (Impatiens gludulifera) (3).

English Nature has funded a three-year study of the ecology of this beetle at the University of York. Hopes are that insights into the species resulting from this research will aid its conservation (3).

During construction of improved flood defences in part of the current range, tansy plants and beetles were removed, stored and relocated on the new defences. If this work is successful, English Nature may develop a long-term recovery programme for the species (3).

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

For more on English Nature's Species Recovery Programme see:
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/science/srp/default.asp