About Galeruca tanaceti (Linnaeus, 1758)
Galeruca tanaceti is a species of leaf beetle. Adult individuals reach a body length of 6–11 millimetres (0.24–0.43 in). Their body is broadly ovate, convex, and hairless. The head, pronotum, and elytra are matte black, densely punctured, and the lateral margins of the elytra are flattened and expanded. All legs are entirely black, relatively long and slender. Females are longer than males. When females are ready to lay eggs, their abdomen becomes greatly enlarged and filled with eggs, so elytra only cover half the length of the abdomen. Larvae of this species are dark, with bristles growing on fleshy outgrowths across their bodies. This species occurs naturally across the Palearctic realm, ranging from Portugal east to Japan, and is also found in the Near East and North Africa. It has been introduced to northern America. These beetles live in dry, sunny areas, including meadows and other grassy locations.
