Oedemera nobilis (Scopoli) (Oedemeridae) in Co. Waterford

摘要

This striking beetle was photographed on flowers in Sallypark, Co. Waterford (S6013) on 30 May 2010 by MG. The locality is a scrubby hillside just east of Waterford City. This is the first record of the species in Ireland although it is quite common and widespread in Britain. A second visit was made to the site on 9 June when over 60 beetles were seen in the space of an hour indicating that the population is thriving there. The site is adjacent to Waterford port and a railway yard transporting timber so there is a chance that the species may have been accidentally imported. However, given its wide distribution in Britain, in particular along the Welsh coast, it is certainly possible that it established naturally on the site. Specimens have been placed in the Natural History Museum in Dublin.