During a survey of Windy Gap, Co. Louth in September, which is situated at approximately 180 m altitude within the Carlingford Mountain SAC, four specimens of the Leaf Beetle Galeruca tanaceti were found in Molinia grassland at the edge of this cutover bog. Known food plants for the species include Tansey (Tanacetum vulgare), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Colt's foot (Tussilago), Silverweed (Potentilla auserina), Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), charlock (Sinapis arvensis), Devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), Small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvensis), and various speedwells (Veronica spp.). The species record was submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and appears to be a new County Record for Louth.
Galeruca tanaceti mating adult beetles. The swollen and distended abdomen of the female beetle is a characteristic feature of the species.
Distribution map of the Galeruca tanaceti. (Copyright: National Biodiversity Network UK).