Malva sylvestris    The Common Mallow
A medium to tall perennial predominantly found on waste spaces, roadside verges or other disturbed ground. The showy pink to dark purple flowers appear from june to august.

Six species of beetle are generally associated with Mallow; four Apionidae and two Chrysomelidae. With the exception of Podagrica fuscipes (Fab.) all are found in the Watford area.

Apionidae
Aspidapion aeneum
Aspidapion radiolus
Malvapion malvae
Pseudapion rufirostre


Chrysomelidae
Podagrica fuscicornis
Podagrica fuscipes

Apionidae feeding damage