Phytoecia (Phytoecia) caerulea (Scopoli, 1772)
ssp. caerulea (Scopoli, 1772)

Subfamilia: LAMIINAE  /  Tribus: PHYTOECIINI
Phytoecia caerulea caerulea
[Photo © P.Jelínek]
Phytoecia caerulea caerulea
[Photo © M.Hoskovec]


In warmer areas of Europe a relatively common species developing in herbaceous plants (Brassicaceae). Body coloration of the species varies from metallic gold-green or blue-green to blue. Pronotum sometimes bears a red distal spot (especially in East Mediterranean specimens, var. baccueti Brullé, 1832).

Body length:6 - 12 mm
Life cycle:1 year
Adults in:April - June
Host plant:Sinapis, Sisymbrium, Rapistrum
Distribution:Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine


The living beetle was photographed on flowers in steppes in Kasristskali village environs (Kakheti Region of Eastern Georgia) in May 2016. The mounted beetle was collected on its host plant (white mustard - Sinapis alba) in Aeropolis (SW of Peloponnese peninsula, Greece).

Collected by P.Jelínek and M.Hoskovec


Phytoecia caerulea caerulea
Phytoecia caerulea caerulea
Phytoecia caerulea caerulea
Phytoecia caerulea caerulea
[Photo © P.Jelínek]

Subfamilia: Lamiinae Latreille, 1825
Tribus: Phytoeciini Mulsant, 1839
Genus: Phytoecia Dejean, 1835
Subgenus: Phytoecia Dejean, 1835
Species: Phytoecia (Phytoecia) caerulea (Scopoli, 1772)
Subspecies: Phytoecia (Phytoecia) caerulea caerulea (Scopoli, 1772)