dogbane beetle

Published on Sep 17, 2016

I came across this colorful little beetle for the first time late this summer. The Dogbane is small metallic colored beetle not that much bigger than a ladybug. It averages 3/8 to 1/2 inch in size. I found them to be interesting, harmless - even what appeared to be napping at times and quite colorful. Filmed from Aug. 15th to Sept. 3rd - 2016. Background music added.

Published on Jul 18, 2016

When the goop is just too much to handle, a backward stroll helps the dogbane beetle to rid its mouthparts of sticky latex.

Published on Aug 13, 2013

The Dogbane Leaf beetles' iridescence is produced by special body structures and light. The surface of the body parts of this beetle is made up of stacks of tiny, slanting plates, under which is a pigment (substance that produces color). Some light rays reflect from the surface of the plates, and other light rays reflect from the pigment underneath. At different angles, the light reflects at different speeds, causing interference and resulting in our seeing different colors that shine.

Description:
The dogbane leaf beetle is a small (8-11 mm.), oblong, shiny insect that displays blue, gold, green, and coppery colors. Its underside is bluish-green. It has wide-set atennae with eleven segments. The larva is white with a brown head. It feeds on roots and leaves of dogbane and other milkweed plants.

Published on Feb 7, 2010

I am often amazed at the incredible colors that can be found within nature. Some species are actually colored in a jaw - dropping metallic iridescence. One of the best examples of that, has to be the Dogbane Leaf Beetle seen on this film! Like their names sake, they spend most of their entire lives feeding on the Dogbane and also on the milkweed plant. They will lay their eggs at the base of the host plant, and when the larvae hatch they will burrow in the soil feeding on the roots. As they reach their adult stage, they spend their lives feeding on the greenery in a world of beautiful iridescent beetles! There are many possible uses for their breathtaking coloration, the one I think is the most intriguing is communication. As they move about the metallic iridescent colors will change from glowing greens to reds and even bronze. They are another great example of the beauty of the natural world and truly amazing to admire. I'm Mark Fraser and to read up on more exciting adventures studying our incredible wild neighbors join me at http://www.naturewalkswithmark.org