Cryptamorpha desjardinsii
Cryptamorpha desjardinsii, known generally as the Desjardin's beetle or Desjardin's flat beetle, is a species of silvanid flat bark beetle in the family Silvanidae. It was first described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1844 and originally named Psammoechus desjardinsii. It is native to tropical Asia but is now found in many countries in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and Oceania including in Australia and New Zealand.
Description
A small beetle with regular black markings on the elytra. It varies in size from 4 to 5mm.
Range
Although native to tropical Asia the range of this species is now cosmopolitan. It can be found in many countries in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. It was introduced to New Zealand via Australia.
Host species
This insect feeds on mildews and moulds found on plants. It has been commonly observed on flax.
Etymology
It is likely that the beetle was named for Julien Desjardins, the French zoologist, as he was known to Guérin-Méneville. Guérin became the safekeeper of his documents after his untimely death.