COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > TENEBRIONOIDEA > Oedemeridae

The species of the Oedemiridae family have traditionally been called False Blister Beetles or, occasionally, False Oil Beetles, but there is now a suggestion that Pollen-feeding Beetles would be more appropriate.

There are 10 species on the British List, all of which can be generally defined as slender, soft-bodied beetles of medium size. The pronotum lacks lateral edges and is much narrower than the elytra, which do not meet all the way along the midline, rather diverging as each tapers independently to its apex. The antennae are long and filiform.

Oedemera lurida is a particularly slender and elongate species, normally around 6-8mm long, sometimes slightly bigger. The individuals I've seen have been either sage-green or bronze-green. Adults are normally active from April until August, when they spend a large amount of their time feeding on a variety of flowers. They can be found in many different habitats.

Apart from the colour being bright metallic green with blue or coppery tones, the above description could also apply to Oedemera noblis or, to be more precise, to the female of that species as can be seen from the following photos. A dark female could possibly be mistaken for lurida, whereas no such confusion would arise with the male due to his greatly enlarged hind femora and angled tibia. Those features are unmistakeable. The species is well documented and frequently photographed during the summer months. It is commonly called the Thick-legged Flower Beetle, but also goes by the name of Swollen-thigh Beetle.

Whereas Oedemera lurida and Oedemera noblis are both common and widespread, Oedemera femoralis by comparison is a much rarer, designated 'nationally scarce', localised nocturnal species that hasn't been officially recorded from either Dorset (VC9) or South Hampshire (VC11) for many years. It is the largest species in the genus, averaging around 18mm long. Apart from the individual featured below, I've also found them at Garston Wood and Stonedown Wood at Sixpenny Handley, which is the same general area as the Kitt's Grave site.

Updated, Jan.23 (v.3)