Teeny beetle...

Another wet and gloomy day, which meant that fieldwork couldn't be done. Alex and I had an early trip to the orthodontist. Having had his braces removed a fortnight ago, it was time to have his retainers fitted, to ensure his teeth stay straight. He was grimacing as he came out - apparently they feel horrible and mean that he can't pronounce any words with an 's' in!

As it was so wet I caught up with some administration and took some insect photographs. I found this tiny beetle (all of 2mm in length) at Stanground Wash. It goes by the grandiose name of Cryptocephalus moraei. Cryptocephalus means hidden head, because this species often tucks its head right under its thorax. It's a quite local southern species which lives on St.John's-worts. This St.John's-wort has black glands around the sepals that contain hypericin, which is often used as a herbal remedy to alleviate the symproms of depression. Perhaps it's a very happy beetle!