Latin Name:  Orsodacne atra (Ahrens, 1810)
                        (R. Bercha, det.)

Length:  ~4 mm

Range: Widespread in Alberta

Habitat: Areas with flowers  

Time of year seen: May - July (Additional Sightings)

Diet: Pollen of woody plants

Other: This beetle can be quite common on wild rose, however it is not fussy and will feed on most other flowers.  In Calgary, it has been collected/observed on wild rose, dandelion, strawberry and rhubarb flowers. It is one of the first beetles to become active in the spring and can be seen out when snow cover is still present.  Coloration of the elytra and pronotum can be quite variable. Little is known about the larval stages. (Arnett, 2002)