About Lochmaea crataegi (Forster, 1771)
Lochmaea crataegi (Forster, 1771) is a species of leaf beetle that is native to Europe. It has a local distribution across England and Wales, and is less extensively distributed in southern Scotland. Adult Lochmaea crataegi are found on hawthorn (Crataegus) blossom. Around Watford, adults appear to only be found here, as beating earlier-flowering blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and many other types of blossom over the years has never yielded this species. Crataegus begins flowering during the third week of April, depending on the season. At this time, occasionally single individual Lochmaea crataegi can be found. Their numbers increase until the first or second week of May, when Crataegus blossom is widespread across the local area, and adult beetles can be beaten from blossoms in large quantities. The beetles remain active throughout all of May, and are often found living alongside Neocoenorrhinus aequatus.
