Written by: host
8/24/2009 10:06 PM

I found this really neat little beetle on one of the leaves of my green beans. This beetle is in the palm of my hand and only about 5mm long. It has some cool looking markings. I do not know what is is, but as soon as I figure it out I will post the information here. Until then check out the pictures...

UPDATE: Thanks to Onalee Israel (please vist her at Onalee's Homegrown Seeds and Plants), I have a name to go with this little beetle's face. Meet Cryptocephalus larvatus Newman, 1840 (larvus being Latin for ghost, spectre) -- a leaf beetle. Apparently this is a female and supposedly you can tell by the face -- the female's "eyebrows" are arched rather than straight. This beetle feeds on the leaves of Ericaceae (blueberry family), Fabaceae (bean family), and Malcaveae (hibiscus family). Although this is the first time I have taken notice of this critter, they are said to be widespread in Florida and Georgia.

Sources: BugGuide, New records, nomenclatural changes, and taxonomic notes for select North American leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Copyright ©2009 Paul J. Erdek, FloridaGardener.com

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