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Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial
Feeding Habits
Adults: phytophagous
Immatures: phytophagous
Size: 1 to 20 mm
Flight :
North American
Species: 1500
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Coleoptera Chrysomelidae
Leaf beetles
Front Wings: hardened
Hind Wings: membranous
Mouthparts: chewing
Antenna Length: shorter than body
Antenna Shape: straight
Front Legs: unmodified
Hind Legs: unmodified
Special Characteristics:
Many Chrysomelidae are bright metallic in colour and they are really varied in shape.The antennae are short, usually less than half the length of the body. Although tropical species can be very large, leaf beetles in North America are usually less than 12 mm long.
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Comments: Both larvae and adults are phytophagous and chrysomelids attack all parts of the plant. The adults feed mostly on flowers and foliage. The larvae feed on the foliage, other are leaf miners, and some feed on the roots. Some are serious pests of cultivated plants and others have been used to control weeds.
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Species:
Chrysochus auratus (Fabricius)
Common Name:
Dogbane leaf beetle
Feeding Habits: The larvae feed on dogbane and other members of the milkweed family.
Distribution:
Eastern Canada.
Comments:
This species is common in meadows and along roadsides.
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