Milkweed leaf beetle
Milkweed leaf beetle | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Chrysomelidae |
Genus: | Labidomera |
Species: | L. clivicollis
|
Binomial name | |
Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby, 1837)
| |
Synonyms[1] | |
|
The milkweed leaf beetle (Labidomera clivicollis) is a species of beetle from the family Chrysomelidae.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Labidomera_clivicollis_larva.jpg/220px-Labidomera_clivicollis_larva.jpg)
Description
L. clivicollis is a small, rounded beetle 8–11 mm in length. It has a black head and pronotum, but brightly coloured elytra; variable from dark orange to bright yellow. The elytra are mottled with black patches throughout. The larva of L. clivicollis is bright orange, with a prominent row of black spiracles.[1] This bright coloration is a classic example of Aposematism.
Diet
There are a number of host plants associated with L. clivicollis: milkweeds, especially swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. syriaca); swallow-wort (Cynanchum); twinevine (Funastrum). The beetle is protected by this diet, as milkweed is toxic to many predators.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Species Labidomera clivicollis - Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
- ^ "Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby, 1837)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)