Valgus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scarabaeidae) reappears in Britain

摘要

A small chafer with striking black-and-white markings was photographed (Fig. 1) on a hoary cress Lepidium draba inflorescence in an area of disturbed, flower-rich, post-industrial land at Silvertown Quays in the London Borough of Newham (TQ409802, South Essex VC 18) on 16 May 2019. It was readily identified as Valgus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758), a distinctive European chafer, and this was confirmed by Darren Mann (in litt.) who also passed on details of another recent record from London.