Anthribus fasciatus Forster (Anthribidae) in abundance on the edge of the Chilterns

摘要

On 15 May 2015 I visited Knocking Hoe NNR and Pegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit Nature Reserve on the eastern edge of the Chilterns. The hawthorn was in full blossom, so I took the opportunity to do some beating, particularly along some of the old hedgerows in the reserves (TL131308 and TL121301, VC 30 Bedfordshire). I was very pleased to find at least 15 examples of Anthribus fasciatus Forster. This is a scarce species recorded from a swathe of central England and is currently listed as Notable A (Hyman, 1992). The beetle is a parasitoid of scale insects.