Axinotarsus pulicarius

Distinguished from other Axinotarsus and small Melyridae by the combination of: small size (under 4 mm); reddish-yellow pronotum with a broad, well-defined black median longitudinal band; and contrasting dark grey to black head and elytra. The pronotal color pattern is the primary diagnostic feature separating this species from congeners.

Native to Europe with broad distribution across the continent, absent from northern latitudes and southern Mediterranean regions. Introduced to North America: established in Pacific Northwest (notably Greater Vancouver, British Columbia) and Great Lakes region (notably Greater Toronto area, Ontario).

Pollen of perennial grasses in native European range.

Courtship involves complex ritualized interactions: males display excitatory glands to females; females taste glandular secretions, which reduces mating inhibition. Both sexes engage in frontal tapping. Male turns back to female, who bites the gland; female then turns back to male, who places mouthparts on tip of her abdomen. Copulation may follow immediately or pair may return to frontal tapping.

• Other Axinotarsus speciesDistinguished by the unique pronotal color pattern of reddish-yellow with broad black median band; congeners lack this specific contrasting pattern.
• Other small MelyridaeSize and distinctive pronotal banding pattern separate this species from other small soft-winged flower beetles in the same region.

• Melyridae
• soft-winged flower beetle
• Europe
• North America
• introduced species
• pollen feeding
• courtship behavior
• chemical communication

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy