Ochina ptinoides

Ochina ptinoides is a curious little beetle, a species which is smaller than a grain of rice, and has a slightly tubular shaped body with brown markings. On the whole its elusive and of not much interest to the casual observer. I am fortunate to have a small population present in my back garden, which is associated with an ornamental Ivy bush which grows up the side of my garage. Where this becomes more interesting is when you look at the beetles UK distribution. Yorkshire has less than 5 records (that I can find) and two of these are from my garden. Indeed the species is largely absent from most of Britain, other than its stronghold in the south-east. 

Ivy is a common plant across much of the UK, especially in shady situations with damp conditions. Ivy particularly thrives on neutral to slightly alkaline soils. Therefore it is everywhere, in a wide range of situations, so why isn't the beetle more common? Clearly the climate is an important factor given the south-east is one of the warmest driest parts of the country. Traditionally this has suppressed population spread and left it restricted to the south-east. As with many invertebrates it has now begun to spread north. I think a mixture of people not looking for it, its ecology (see below), its small size and its economic insignificance likely mean its being overlooked. 

Ivy grows in two parts of my garden both being in very warm, often hot, south facing situations against brick walls, I wonder if the requirement for warmth limits this species in Yorkshire to more urban and suburban habitats. Plenty of naturalists have gardens though, and Ivy is a popular plant for its berries and nectar source, attracting wildlife like Holly Blue and Redwings. I suspect like many of the species spreading north it has just not become widespread enough to be noticed and as obvious as it sounds as the population increases up here so will the records. 

A little about its ecology, Ochina ptinoides as previously mentioned is primarily associated with old Ivy growths across its range, especially on deciduous trees. The beetle is active throughout the summer from early May until August. Early in the season adults can be seen feeding on the flowers like umbels and Hawthorn where it occurs close to the host tree. The majority of adults remain amongst the leaves of the Ivy and are largely nocturnal and crepuscular, and may be attracted to light. The larvae develop in old Ivy stems, when freshly emerged they feed beneath the bark, before tunnelling deeper into the stem where they develop and pupate in the autumn. 

Ochina ptinoides a small yet attractive little beetle.