Tuesday, June 16, 2009
6. Hoplia caerulea
This is one of the jewels of Le Port and is most often to be found on stinging nettles close to the river bank, although this one is on a bramble leaf. It is not paricularly active but will suddenly and unexpectedly take wing or drop to the ground and play dead if disturbed. Known to (some of) the French as l'hoplie bleu. The long hooked hind legs are characteristic and are probably used in some obscure reproductive function or may merely be used to secure them to sloping leaf surfaces so they may look their best whilst being totally relaxed.
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