Protected-species
Guides
Chrysolina
leaf beetles
Chrysolina is a large genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, containing numerous species distributed primarily across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The genus is notable for its phytophagous species, many of which exhibit strong host plant specificity. Several species have been employed as classical biological control agents against invasive weeds, most notably Chrysolina quadrigemina and C. hyperici for control of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort). Some species are of conservation concern, including C. cerealis and C. graminis, which are protected in the United Kingdom. The genus includes both native and introduced populations, with some species established in North America and Australia.
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa
European mole cricket
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, the European mole cricket, is a subterranean insect native to the Western Palaearctic and introduced to the eastern United States. It is characterized by fossorial forelegs adapted for digging, velvety body covering, and a subterranean lifestyle. The species is now understood to represent a cryptic species complex distinguishable by song patterns. In the United Kingdom, it is legally protected and considered endangered due to dramatic range contraction.