Gold-winged Leaf Beetle
Chrysolina auripennis
This record describes Chrysolina auripennis (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
variable iridescence, black form least common elytra variable, bright green, cupreous, bronze black, or deep blue or violet.
Wikipedia reference for Chrysolina auripennis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysolina auripennis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Chrysomelinae
- Tribe
- Chrysomelini
- Genus
- Chrysolina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
c.US (MB-MT-NM to IN-AL) - Map , most common in sc.US
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: spotted beebalm ( Monarda punctata , Lamiaceae) and Pycnanthemum tenuifolium ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chrysolina auripennis (Say 1824)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Chrysolina auripennis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Gold-winged Leaf Beetle (9)
Photo credits: (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Catherine C. Galley | (c) Crazy4ants, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Crazy4ants | (c) Alexander Harman, Ph. D., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alexander Harman, Ph. D. | (c) Bob O'Kennon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Bob O'Kennon | (c) Jaime Baxter-Slye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jaime Baxter-Slye | Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Gold-winged Leaf Beetle
What is Gold-winged Leaf Beetle?
Gold-winged Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina auripennis) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Gold-winged Leaf Beetle?
variable iridescence, black form least common elytra variable, bright green, cupreous, bronze black, or deep blue or violet.
Where is Gold-winged Leaf Beetle found?
Range: c.US (MB-MT-NM to IN-AL) - Map , most common in sc.US
What does Gold-winged Leaf Beetle eat?
The diet of the Gold-winged Leaf Beetle includes hosts: spotted beebalm ( Monarda punctata , Lamiaceae) and Pycnanthemum tenuifolium ( 4 ).