| Meligethes aeneus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Superfamily: | Cucujoidea |
| Family: | Nitidulidae |
| Genus: | Meligethes |
| Species: | M. aeneus |
| Binomial name | |
| Meligethes aeneus (Fabricius, 1775) |
|
Meligethes aeneus is an abundant pollen beetle in the United Kingdom. M. aenus is an important pest of oilseed rape.[1] It is unknown if it contributes to the pollination of the crop. Adults are about 2-3 mm long, 1-2 mm wide and black with a hint of metallic green. The larvae are up to 3 mm long and white with brown sclerotised plates. Eggs are laid in the flower buds of the host-plant and the larvae develop within the flowers. Oviposition damage to the buds of oilseed rape can cause the flowers to drop off. Both adults and larvae feed on the pollen and nectar in the flowers.[2]