Small Iridescent Beetle for ID

rowanberry
Global Moderator

Posts: 3,177

Small Iridescent Beetle for ID Oct 20, 2015 19:37:31 GMT

Quote

Post by rowanberry on Oct 20, 2015 19:37:31 GMT

Spotted this little beetle, (about the size of a ladybird, maybe a bit bigger) on the rosemary bush today.

Amazing colours- very iridescent, and striped like a boiled sweet.

I tried to get a close-up, which is a bit blurry but shows the colours of it better.

Last Edit: Oct 20, 2015 19:37:56 GMT by rowanberry

ayjay Senior Member ________________________ Posts: 497	Small Iridescent Beetle for ID Oct 20, 2015 21:52:31 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ayjay on Oct 20, 2015 21:52:31 GMT Believe it or not - it could be a Rosemary Beetle. Chrysolina americana , although they're not particularly widespread, mainly SE England but also parts of Wales, the Midlands and other scattered reports.

aeshna5 Supreme Member Posts: 4,742	Small Iridescent Beetle for ID Oct 21, 2015 5:04:29 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by aeshna5 on Oct 21, 2015 5:04:29 GMT They also feed on a number of related plants including Lavender.

rowanberry
Global Moderator

Posts: 3,177

Small Iridescent Beetle for ID Oct 21, 2015 10:25:25 GMT

Quote

Post by rowanberry on Oct 21, 2015 10:25:25 GMT

I googled it, and it seems the RHS are conducting a survey to find out how widely spread it is... it feeds on other aromatic plants such as thyme, lavender and sage- all of which I have in the garden.

My poor Mediterranean herbs didn't do very well this year as it is, that's all they need.

It's such a pretty little thing, but now I'm wondering if I ought to have squashed it! Oh, well- perhaps something will eat it instead.

Thanks for the id, Ayjay and Aeshna!

Post by rowanberry on Oct 20, 2015 19:37:31 GMT

Post by ayjay on Oct 20, 2015 21:52:31 GMT

Post by aeshna5 on Oct 21, 2015 5:04:29 GMT

Post by rowanberry on Oct 21, 2015 10:25:25 GMT