Rosemary Beetle
Chrysolina americana
This record describes Chrysolina americana (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Attractive, 8mm long, metallic green beetle with purple stripes. To be found on Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, Sage and some other related plants. The soft-bodied grubs are greyish white with five darker longitudinal lines; fully grown larvae are 5 to 8mm long. The beetle is a native of southern Europe that has become an established pest in Britain since the 1990s especially in the south east of England. It seems to be rapidly colonising the country.
Wikipedia reference for Chrysolina americana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysolina_americana.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Family
- Chrysomelidae
- Genus
- Chrysolina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
To be found on Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, Sage and some other related plants.
Seasonal Activity
May to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The soft-bodied grubs are greyish white with five darker longitudinal lines; fully grown larvae are 5 to 8mm long.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The beetle is a native of southern Europe that has become an established pest in Britain since the 1990s especially in the south east of England. It seems to be rapidly colonising the country.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Chrysolina americana. 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 Rosemary Beetle (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Rosemary Beetle
What is Rosemary Beetle?
Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Rosemary Beetle found?
Habitat: To be found on Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, Sage and some other related plants.
When is Rosemary Beetle active?
Rosemary Beetle: seasonal activity - May to October..
What is the life cycle of a Rosemary Beetle?
The soft-bodied grubs are greyish white with five darker longitudinal lines; fully grown larvae are 5 to 8mm long.