Tansy beetle
Encyclopedia
The tansy beetle is a green leaf beetle
, about the size of a small finger nail and with a metallic sheen. The common name derives from the tansy
plant on which they often feed as both larvae and adults. In the United Kingdom
, its range is currently restricted to about 45 km of the banks of the River Ouse
centred on York
, North Yorkshire Although there are scattered records from across England some of these may represent mis-identifications of the mint beetle (Chrysolina herbacea), a more widespread species. Tansy beetles were certainly known from Wicken Fen
near Cambridge, where they fed on mint (Mentha spp.) not tansy, but the last record for the beetle there was in 1981. A Tansy Beetle Action Group (TBAG) has been set up to initiate and oversee conservation efforts and comprises representatives from the University of York
, North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, Environment Agency
, National Trust
and Buglife. A recovery programme is underway involving annual surveys of both tansy and beetles, control of tree shading and invasive plants that compete with tansy, such as Himalayan balsam
(Impatiens glandulifera), and limited re-introductions within the current species range. In Continental Europe
, C. graminis is widespread from Scandinavia
to the Mediterranean Sea
, but in the majority of countries is on the decline.
Leaf beetle
Beetles in the family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles. This is a family of over 35,000 species in more than 2,500 genera, one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families....
, about the size of a small finger nail and with a metallic sheen. The common name derives from the tansy
Tansy
Tansy is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant of the aster family, native to temperate Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to other parts of the world and in some areas has become invasive...
plant on which they often feed as both larvae and adults. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, its range is currently restricted to about 45 km of the banks of the River Ouse
River Ouse, Yorkshire
The River Ouse is a river in North Yorkshire, England. The river is formed from the River Ure at Cuddy Shaw Reach near Linton-on-Ouse, about 6 miles downstream of the confluence of the River Swale with the River Ure...
centred on York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, North Yorkshire Although there are scattered records from across England some of these may represent mis-identifications of the mint beetle (Chrysolina herbacea), a more widespread species. Tansy beetles were certainly known from Wicken Fen
Wicken Fen
Wicken Fen is a wetland nature reserve situated near the village of Wicken, Cambridgeshire, England.It is one of Britain's oldest nature reserves, and was the first reserve acquired by the National Trust, in 1899. The reserve includes fenland, farmland, marsh, and reedbeds...
near Cambridge, where they fed on mint (Mentha spp.) not tansy, but the last record for the beetle there was in 1981. A Tansy Beetle Action Group (TBAG) has been set up to initiate and oversee conservation efforts and comprises representatives from the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
, North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, Environment Agency
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a British non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government that serves England and Wales.-Purpose:...
, National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
and Buglife. A recovery programme is underway involving annual surveys of both tansy and beetles, control of tree shading and invasive plants that compete with tansy, such as Himalayan balsam
Himalayan Balsam
Impatiens glandulifera is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Via human introduction it is now extant across much of the Northern Hemisphere.-Etymology:...
(Impatiens glandulifera), and limited re-introductions within the current species range. In Continental Europe
Continental Europe
Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands....
, C. graminis is widespread from Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
to the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
, but in the majority of countries is on the decline.