Oedemera

Oedemera beetles are slim, soft-bodied insects usually measuring eight to twelve millimetres long. They have a shiny, metallic look, often in green or bronze shades, though the colour can vary depending on the species. Male beetles of many species have noticeably thickened back thighs, which helps to tell them apart from others in the group. Adults are often seen on flowers, especially those with umbrella-shaped clusters or yellow petals. They feed on pollen during late spring and summer. These beetles are found all over the UK in places like gardens, meadows, hedgerows, and the edges of woods. They prefer areas where there are plenty of flowering plants. The larvae grow inside the stems of soft-stemmed plants. There are several different species within this group, and telling them apart can be tricky. Small differences in leg shape, the length of their antennae, and body size help to identify them. They usually fly slowly and not very far.