11-13 mm with a shiny coppery green appearance. There are four Poecilis species in Britain but only two are common and likely to be found in Leicestershire and Rutland. Poecilis is distinguished as a genus by the keel on the basal antennal segments.
Poecilis cupreus is distinguished from the similar P. versicolor by having fine punctuations on its head between its eyes. In P. versicolor, the head is completely smooth and unpunctured. P. cupreus also prefers dryer habitats.
- metallic green
- keel on the basal antennal segments
- fine perforations between the eyes
Prefers open, dry habitats with short grass e.g. parkland and agricultural fields but also occasionally in woodland.
Most likely to be seen in spring and summer
It is a general predator. Breeds in spring
Common but local across southern England and south Wales as far south as the Wash with scattered records south to Scotland
Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 77 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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