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Which Omalus species?

PostPosted: 04 Jul 2021 13:02
by Seins
This Omalus sp. was found scurrying around a group of aphids in the Netherlands. It was about 4-5 mm in length. We only have two (three if O. producticollis is considered a valid species) species in the Netherlands: O. aeneus and O. biaccinctus. I was leaning towards O. aeneus because the pronotum and mesoscutum look quite smooth, but I also read that O. aeneus usually doesn't have a bicolored body. Is anyone able to give me some clarification?

Re: Which Omalus species?

PostPosted: 05 Jul 2021 19:55
by Euchroeus
:welcome: Milo,

this is Omalus biaccinctus.

As you wrote, it's the only one in Central Europe with this colour pattern. Omalus aeneus and O. puncticollis are green to blue, sometimes even violet, however never bicoloured as your specimens.

The mesoscutum is not smooth, but distinctly wrinkled and dull, you can see very well in your nice pictures.
If you search in this website or google the name, you'll find many Omalus aeneus to compare the smooth mesoscutum.

Thanks!
Paolo

Re: Which Omalus species?

PostPosted: 06 Jul 2021 17:54
by Seins
Thanks for the identification, Paolo! I can see the wrinkles now on the mesoscutum