In Oedemera spp. the eyes are entire, between these the clypeus is rugose, without punctures. Two species O.nobilis (Scop.) and O.lurida (Marsh.) are common in southern England.
In Ischnomera species the eyes are notched and the thorax is sinuate behind the front angles. Joy deals with only two species; I.cyanea (F.) is similar to I.caerulea (L.) and best separated by dissection, see Allen (1988) and Mendel (1990) for descriptions of British species.
Nacerdes melanura (L.) (7-14mm.) is keyed in Joy. Here the eyes are notched before the antennal insertions and the head is punctate between the eyes. The yellowish brown elytra are darkened or black at the apices, suggesting Rhagonycha fulva. The beetle has been known as the Wharf Borer because of its abundance in dockland timber in the past and the extensive damage it has caused. Although associated with dockland habitats it is also found across England, more especially in the midlands (Hickin).
Chrysanthia nigricornis (Westhoff) is bright green with legs mostly orange. A scottish species which breeds in Scots Pine, adults are found in flowers in the late summer.
The family is dealt with by Buck and by Kaszub, K. in Vol. 8 of Die Kafer Mitteleuropas, 1969 (updated in Vol. 13, 1992) although neither work covers all the british species so the papers referred to will need to be obtained.
Early stages are spent in old stems of various plants or in rotten wood. Adult Nacerdes melanura (L.) are found in old timber (or under bark of dead trees) while the other species are pollen feeders, being found on flowers especially in bright sunshine. Some species are very obvious due to their bright metallic colouration.
Allen, A.A., 1988. Ent.Rec.J.Var. 100:199-202.
Mendel, H. 1990 Ent.Gaz. 41:209-211.
Ischnomera
cyanea
Ischnomera
sanguinicollis
Nacerdes
Melanura
Oedemera
lurida
Oedemera
lurida
Oedemera
lurida
Oedemera
lurida
Oedemera
nobilis
Oedemera
nobilis
Chrysanthia
Oncomera
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