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Classification:

Cassida vibex belongs to the subfamily Cassidinae, tribe Cassidini.

Distribution:

Europe; in parts of Asia.

Habitat:

In all types of grassland in warm and low locations.

Description:

Size 5.5 - 7 mm; elytra and pronotum form a broad shield covering the body; pronotum with angled corners; upper side green to golden brown; basal triangle and central seam line of elytra reddish brown; distal antenna segments black; femora black on most of their length, often only the tip light.

Similar species:

Similar species occurring in Central Europe are Cassida bergeali and Cassida pannonica. They prefer to live in warmer and drier habitats.

Biology:

Cassida vibex is an oligophagous species living mainly on thistles and knapweeds, but also on burdocks and artichokes. The beetle shown here was found at the edge of a damp meadow on a cabbage thistle (Cirsium oleraceum).
The females of Cassida vibex mate from April. From May to July the eggs are laid individually or in small groups of up to 7 on the undersides of leaves and covered with faeces. After 6 - 10 days the larvae hatch. They feed on the leaves of their host plants. For their protection they bear a shield of faeces and stripped off larval skins. About 8 days after pupation, the new generation hatches, which hibernates in the foliage layer or on the ground after a maturation feeding in late summer.

Natural enemies:

Known parasites of Cassida vibex are the chalcid wasps Brachymeria vitripennis (Chalcidididae) and Aprostocetus (Aprostocetus) bruzzonis (Eulophidae).

References, further reading, links:

1. Rheinheimer, Joachim, & Hassler, Michael: Die Blattkäfer Baden-Württembergs, 2018, 928 pages, Kleinsteuber Books (Karlsruhe), ISBN 978-3-9818110-2-5
2. Arved Lompe: Die Käfer Europas - Ein Bestimmungswerk im Internet