DOGBANE BEETLE

(species Chrysochus auratus), member of the insect subfamily Eumolpinae of the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae (order Coleoptera). The dogbane beetle of eastern North America is iridescent blue-green with a metallic copper, golden, or crimson shine. It is one of the most brightly coloured beetles in its family. It feeds on dogbane and milkweed. It is oval, convex, and between about 8 to 11 mm (less than 0.5 inch) in length.