Leaf Beetles
What are they?
Leaf and Flea Beetles and their allies form one of the largest families of beetles and certainly form an important group for farmers and gardeners since most species feed on living plant material. Most species overwinter as adults but the adults may be found throughout much of the summer too, with many species feeding on the leaves of various plant species. The larvae of some species also feed on leaves, while others feed below ground on roots and the bases of plant stems. Because of their importance in devouring plants voraciously, some species have been introduced in attempts to control non-native plant species. Unfortunately little research has been done to study the longer-term effects of this and - yet again - the introduction of non-native species may prove to be ill-advised.
Identification
Many species are colorful and distinctively marked, making them easy to identify, but others are small and nondescript (especially the flea beetles) and can be difficult to identify. As well as details of the insect, it is always worth noting the species of plant that you find it on as this can help with some species.
Asparagus Beetle Crioceris asparagi
Introduced from Europe during the 19th Century. Both adults and larvae feed on asparagus plants.
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Twelve-spotted Asparagus Beetle Crioceris duodecimpunctata
Introduced from Europe during the 19th Century. Both adults and larvae feed on asparagus plants.
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Argus Tortoise Beetle Chelymorpha cassidea
Resembles a lady beetle but, both in shape and structure, subtly different. Feeds on members of the bindweed family. Larvae collect a bundle of faeces on the end of the abdomen and carry it over their backs as a disguise to hide themselves from would-be predators.
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Dogwood Leaf Beetle Calligrapha philadelphica
A woodland species that feeds on the leaves of dogwood.
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Double-toothed Leaf Beetle Calligrapha bidenticola
A fairly common species that feeds on plants in the aster family. Very similar to Zygogramma suturalis but can be spearated by their rather different foot structure.
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Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle Labidomera clivicollis
An uncommon milkweed specialist, adults may be a variety of shades of red or orange with shiny black markings.
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Apple Flea Beetle Altica foliaceae
Despite the English name, this species feeds on a wide range of plants as adults, but the larvae almost always seem to feed on evening-primrose leaves.
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Sumac Flea Beetle Blepharida rhois
A widespread and common species which mostly feeds on Winged Sumac in our area, but elsewhere also feeds on currant bushes. The amount of whitish coloration on the adults is highly variable.
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Spotted Cucumber Beetle Diabrotica undecimpunctata
A widespread and common species which is greenish yellow with 11 black spots. Despite the English name, this species feeds on a very wide range of plant species.
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Dogbane Beetle Chrysochus auratus
One of our most spectacular species, the Dogbane Beetle is a brilliant, iridescent beetle that can sometimes be found in good numbers feeding on stands of Common Dogbane.
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