Anchomenus dorsalis (Pontoppidan, 1763)

Sometimes referred to as Agonum dorsale.

Size: 6-8mm.

Identification: Head and pronotum metallic green or blue, elytra reddish brown with front half green or blue except margins; rarely elytra entirely green. Apendages pale brown. Wings present.

Habitat: Arable fields, gardens and waste ground with dry, chalky soils.

Lifecycle: Overwinters in margins of cereal fields, often in large aggregations and migrates into the fields in spring, where it is a useful predator on aphids. It breeds in spring.

Similar species: There are no similar species.

Field/Lab: This species can be easily identified in the field.

Status in Pembrokeshire: Widespread.

UK status: Widespread in Britain but becomming more local in northern Scotland and Ireland; sometimes very abundant forming large aggregations. Throughout Europe, it is possibly extending its range northwards.