COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > CLEROIDEA > Malachiidae (Melyridae)

Classification of the soft-bodied 'melyrid' beetles is a it up in the air at the moment as some coleopterists are breaking Melyridae down into smaller family ranked divisions. The latest British checklist (Duff, 2012) now treats the former subfamilies Dasytinae and Malachiinae as distinct families. The 'UK Beetle Recording' scheme website follows the checklist but, somewhat confusing, refers to both families as Soft-winged flower beetles, whereas the similarly named 'UK Beetles' site (see footnote) retains this former common name for Dasytidae (featured on the previous page) and uses the shortened name of Flower beetles for Malachiidae, thus avoiding repetition.

They are typically small to medium-sized, up to 8mm, soft-bodied, mainly brightly coloured beetles that, in most species, have at least some of the abdominal segments exposed beyond the elytral apex. A distinctive feature of the family is the orangey-coloured sac-like eversible vesicles along the sides of the abdomen, which are most developed in males, that may be withdrawn or partially visible. Most species are sexually dimorphic with the males having modified antennae and an organ (excitator) on the head or on the tip of the elytra giving off a gustatory substance, changing the female's initial aversion to mating.

Although there are 17 recognised species, only three could be regarded as being anywhere near common and, even then, it would be very much dependent on area. The most frequently recorded member of the family is the common malachite beetle Malachius bipustulatus, which is widespread and relatively common across the south of the country, becoming scarcer further north. The much rarer red form Malachius aenus, is now only likely to be found at a handful of locations and, according to the NBN Atlas, hasn’t been officially recorded for many years.

Prior to the current update of this page, I was very much of the opinion that I would only be able to feature the two metallic green 'look-alike' species Malachius bipustulatus and Cordylephrus viridis, but I'm now pleased that I can also include Anthocomus rufus, which might be frequently recorded in some parts of the country, but certainly not from my local area. In fact, the last confirmed record from South Hampshire (VC11) was over twenty-five years ago! And, from Dorset (VC9), there has only been one confirmed sighting during the past ten years.

Cordylephrus virids averages 4-5mm long and has a metallic green, although often with a distinct blueish tinge, head, pronotum and elytra, apart from the apices that are red or yellow. All dorsal surfaces are covered in fine erect setae. The head is transverse with relatively large convex eyes. The antennae are long and slender with all segments elongate, and with the basal segments being broader than the others, especially in the male, the second segment almost quadrate. The pronotum is transverse and only weakly convex. The elytra has prominent shoulders and widens before the continuously rounded apical margins.

The Common Malachite Beetle, Malachius bipustulatus, is superficially similar although slightly larger, up to 6mm, and broader, and is a brighter green, often with bronze overtones. It also has more distinctly red elytral apices and, although only just discernible in the following photo, red anterior pronotal angles. The pronotum is transverse and flattened, wider than in viridis, and notably depressed medially and towards the hind angles.

Anthocomus rufus is a small, distinctive beetle with bright red wing cases. The head is shiny black and rather flattened with relatively long and robust antennae. The pronotum is red, but with a broad dark central band that continues onto the elytra and then fades out; dull black on the pronotum, shiny black on the elytra. This species is typically found in wetland areas and marginal vegetation.

Footnote: sadly, the 'UK Beetles' website, which is far more informative than the official 'UK Beetle Recording' site has gone off line (as of Jan.25) and can't be updated. I'm not sure why other than there have been issues with hosting costs. Hopefully, it will come back but, in the meantime, the last published version can still be accessed via web.archive.org.

Updated, Jan.25 (v.3)