Anthaxia croesus is a species of jewel beetle belonging to the family Buprestidae, subfamily Buprestinae.Biolib
Taxonomy A group of specialists (V. Kuban, D. Baiocchi, S. Bíly, T. Kwast and M. Kafka) has ascertained the true identity of the species described by Villers 50 years before the description of Gené,Entomologi Italiani Consequently, this species has to be interpreted as Anthaxia (Haplanthaxia) croesus (de Villers, 1789) = Anthaxia (Haplanthaxia) scutellaris Gené, 1839. The latter epithet passed to junior synonym.Natura Mediterraneo New Nomenclatural and Taxonomic Acts, and Comments - Scarabaeoidea – Scirtoidea – Dascilloidea – Buprestoidea - Byrrhoidea
Subspecies Subspecies include: Anthaxia croesus atlasica Théry, 1930 Anthaxia croesus croesus (Villers, 1789
Distribution and habitat
This beetle is present in Albania, Croatia, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and in North Africa (Morocco).Fauna Europaea It occurs on meadows, pastures and riparian forests.
Description The adults of Anthaxia croesus can reach a length of about 5–6 mm. Their body shows metallic blue, green and purple colours.
Biology Adults can be encountered from April through July, lying above the daisies, but also on flowers of Umbelliferae and other flowers. The larva is polyphagous and lives at the expense of several shrubs and trees. Main larval host plants are in the genera Arbutus, Ceratonia, Cornus, Juniperus, Malus, Pinus, Pistacia, Prunus, Pyrus, Quercus, Salix and Spartium.Host plants of West-Palearctic Buprestidae
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