Milkweed leaf beetle
| Milkweed leaf beetle | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Genus: | Labidomera |
| Species: | L. clivicollis
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| Binomial name | |
| Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby, 1837)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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The milkweed leaf beetle (Labidomera clivicollis) is a species of beetle from the family Chrysomelidae.[2]
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.
