Description

Over all length 4 - 7mm. A black beetle with a pattern of pale, patchy hairs on its elytra.

Habitat

The adults can be found on thistles and the larvae feed in the flower heads and leaf radicals of Carduus and Cirsium thistles.

Status and distribution

This is a recent colonist of Britain and is still very local and scarce, mainly restricted to the south of England. In Britain it is classed as Nationally Notable A.

Best time to see

April to September.