Meloe variegatus
CR

Meloe variegatus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meloe_variegatus

Overview

Meloe variegatus is a European oil beetle. It is commonly known as the variegated oil beetle. Adult beetles feed on leaves and can be pests of crops, while the larvae are parasitic on solitary bees.

Meloe variegatus, the variegated oil beetle, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of flower-rich grasslands and meadows essential for both adult feeding and their complex parasitic lifecycle. Agricultural intensification, pesticide use, and loss of wild bee hosts have further compromised this species' survival across its European range.

Threat summary

Habitat

M. variegatus is classified as 'regionally extinct' in the United Kingdom. It can still be found in central Europe and the Iberian peninsula.

Other threatened species in Meloidae

Spanish FlyCR

Spanish Fly

Lytta vesicatoria

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Meloe variegatus classified as Critically Endangered?
Meloe variegatus is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Meloe variegatus, the variegated oil beetle, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of flower-rich grasslands and meadows essential for both adult feeding and their complex parasitic lifecycle. Agricultural intensification, pesticide use, and loss of wild bee hosts have further compromised this species' survival across its European range.
Where does Meloe variegatus live?
Meloe variegatus occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Meloe variegatus?
The main threats to Meloe variegatus are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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