Summertime means travel time. For this summer we planned a trip to Corsica. It is the fourth biggest island in the mediterranean sea and a paradise for nature lovers. Smaller roads are always in good conditions and the beaches are perfect for bathing. Besides we could observe a lot of animals especially Jewel Beetles, but read by yourself…
Our first stop after arrival at Bastia Airport was not far away at a ruderal place at sea level. Sunny exposed shrubs of Ulmus minor Mill. were attractve for some Jewel Beetles.
They flew around the leaves...
...Lamprodila mirifica (Mulsant, 1855).
We saw a lot of flowerful dirt roads.
On yellow flowers the Jewel Beetle Anthaxia millefolii (Herbst, 1801) was common.
On vegetation the endemic Cuckoo Wasp Holopyga sardoa Invrea, 1952 could be observed.
We leaved the coast and went to the mountains. On the way we passed beautiful villages.
The island has many canyons which formed by rivers.
On white and yellow flowers the Jewel Beetle Anthaxia thalassophila Abeille de Perrin, 1900 is sometimes very common. Its larva takes its development under the bark of Fraxinus sp.
Old oaks with thick dead branches are attraktive for some Jewel Beetles. This old tree probably is hostplant of Eurythyrea quercus (Herbst, 1780).
Another species Agrilus hastulifer (Ratzeburg, 1837) could be observed. So far known this species was never recorded from Corsica in literatur before.
First come first served. Best requirement for sunbathing for Podarcis tiliguerta (Gmelin, 1789).
Because of the rain the last weeks the vegatation is very rich. In the foreground Ranunculus sp. grows in the meadow.
Anthaxia suzannae Théry, 1942 sitting on these yellow flowers. Probably some records of Anthaxia semicuprea Küster, 1851 from Corsica belonging to this species.
On ground vegetation the colourful Cuckoo Wasp Chrysura cuprea (Rossi, 1790) flew around.
Small rivers often bordered with Salix sp., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Fraxinus sp. and so on.
Agrilus cyanescens (Ratzeburg, 1837) was sitting on Fraxinus sp. So far known this species is new for Corsica.
Nice riverbanks with clear water are not infrequently in the mountains of Corsica.
A common Jewel Beetle flew around Salix sp.: Agrilus viridis (Linnaeus, 1758).
A large orchid Dactylorhiza cf. saccifera (Brongniart) Soó.
Anthaxia hungarica (Scopoli, 1772) - one of the commonest species of the trip.
Ruderal places like this with Malva sylvestris L. are habitats of the following small Jewel Beetle…
...Trachys troglodytiformis Obenberger, 1918...
…and its larva (Michelin Tyre Man).
The green hell.
Campanula patula L.
Back at the sea we could saw the sun again and this lonesome beach was perfect for bathing.
Nice dune with interesting vegetation.
For example this spiny plant: Dipsacus ferox Loisel.
On the poplars next to parking, a typical Jewel Beetle could be observed…
...Agrilus ater (Linnaeus, 1767).
Besides many flowers grew next to the way. Glaucium flavum Crantz and Papaver sp.
We left the coast and went into the mountains again. In the forground Pyrus sp. is shown.
On the leaves sat the common Agrilus roscidus Kiesenwetter, 1857.
Stictoleptura cordigera (Fuesslin, 1775).
The rain was coming back...
Next morning the weather became better very slowly. On ground vegetation this interesting fly could be observed: Chalcochiton cf. holosericea (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera, Bombyliidae) - Thank you @ André for determination =)
Dead Quercus ilex L. like this are attractive for many Jewel Beetles.
One of the biggest species is Latipalpis plana (Olivier, 1790).
Beautiful bays with clear water are attractive for humans =)
Partly dead wood of Cupressus sempervirens L. On yellow flowers next to these bushes a typical Jewel Beetle flew around…
...Anthaxia confusa Gory, 1841. Note: The taxonomical status of the subspecies baudii Obenberger, 1914 is doubtful, which is only known from Corsica.
Another common Jewel Beetle: Anthaxia croesus (Villers, 1789).
We leaved the south and went to the east coast. Late afternoon and the dark clouds were coming back again.
Before the rain starts we found this wet place with Salix sp.
A rare Jewel Beetle sat on the leaves: Agrilus guerini Lacordaire, 1835.
The sea was peaceful but the sky was shortly before to open the door…
Next day and the sun was shining into this hot place with the typical mediterranean maccia.
Blue sea, blue sky and dry vegetation. Best requirement to observe Buprestids.
Rubus sp. is the hostplant for some species of Jewel Beetles.
Agrilus solieri Gory & Laporte, 1837 was common at this trip.
Another one is Coraebus rubi (Linnaeus, 1767).
We visited the centre of Corsica again and found picturesque villages like this.
Stony riverbanks with dead wood of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. and Populus sp.
Between the stones grew small yellow flowers which were visited by a rare black Jewel Beetle.
More zoom...
Finished zoom. Acmaeodera revelierii Mulsant & Rey, 1859. This endemic species of Corsica and Sardinia represent Acmaeodera pulchra (Fabricius, 1792) on both islands.
Our last days on the island we spent on the north coast. We found this nice laguna.
A colourful Jewel Beetles sat on yellow flowers...
…Acmaeodera quadrifasciata ssp. octodecimpunctata Gory, 1840...
...and Anthaxia umbellatarum (Fabricius, 1787).
Faded Cistus sp. are problably hostplant of the following Jewel Beetle.
Agrilus elegans Mulsant & Rey, 1863.
Last view of the great landscape. Au revoir Corsica.