Skeletonizing Leaf Beetle (Trirhabda species)

Adult: 5-6 mm

Order Coleoptera/ Family Chrysomelidae – Leaf Beetles/ Subfamily Galerucinae.

This beetle is abundant from spring to summer on Goldenbush, Isocoma venetus. The adults and larvae are found together feeding on foliage of this plant. Larvae are a dark metallic green, and adults are in life bright yellow with dark metallic green stripes. Many of the Trirabda spp. specialize in their choice of host plants, and another species is found on sagebrush, Artemisia californica. Another found primarily on Coyote Bush, Baccharis pilularis, is named after the host!

Posted on June 5, 2017 04:24 PM by jwparker2