Donacia crassipes Fabricius, 1775 a rare or a neglected species in Belgium? (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Donaciinae)

Donacia crassipes Fabricius, 1775 is an easily recognizable species of reed beetles (Donaciinae). The species is associated with Nymphaeaceae (both Nymphaea and Nuphar species). The species was not uncommon in Belgium until 1950, afterwards a notable decline was seen in the number of known records and from 1950 onwards only five records are known. A survey was carried out to assess the present status and distribution of the species in Belgium. 47 sites in the north of Belgium with stable populations of Nymphaeaceae were checked for the presence of D. crassipes. Of these sampled sites D. crassipes was present at 35 (74,5%) and thus the species seems currently not as rare as recent records indicated. This species was encountered for the first time in the province Limburg. Furthermore we present the first records of D. crassipes on non-indigenous water-lilies (Nymphaea cultivars).

Publication year:2017

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