Order Coleoptera Higher classification Chrysolina | Family Chrysomelidae Scientific name Chrysolina americana Rank Species | |
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Similar Beetle, Chrysolina, Insect, Leaf beetle, Chrysolina herbacea | ||
Rosemary leaf beetle successfully invades uk chrysolina americana
Chrysolina americana, common name rosemary beetle, is a species of beetles belonging to the family Chrysomelidae.
Contents
- Rosemary leaf beetle successfully invades uk chrysolina americana
- Coleoptera chrysomelidae chrysolina americana v1
- Description
- Distribution
- Introduction to the United Kingdom
- References
Coleoptera chrysomelidae chrysolina americana v1
Description
Chrysolina americana can reach a length of 5–8 millimetres (0.20–0.31 in). They have colourful elytra with metallic green and purple longitudinal stripes. The wings are quite short, so these beetles can not fly.
This species feeds on various aromatic Lamiaceae, mainly on rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) (hence the common name), lavender (Lavandula) and thyme (Thymus).
In the Mediterranean region females lay their eggs in late summer on the leaves of the host plants. The larvae show whitish to blackish bands. Larval development continues during the winter months. The pupal stage lasts about three weeks. The imago is released in the spring.
Distribution
Despite the species name americana, this leaf beetle is native and common to southern Europe, North Africa, the Near East and the Middle East.
Introduction to the United Kingdom
First identified in the wild within the United Kingdom in 1994, this species had proliferated across the London region by 2002 and continued to expand rapidly nationwide. Despite its vulnerability to certain pesticides, for culinary plants, it's typically advised that gardeners manually remove the beetles by picking or shaking them off onto a sheet of paper, to ensure the plants remain suitable for consumption.