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Project Noah Nature School
Chrysochus auratus
The dogbane leaf beetle has a special type of color that shines and changes as the insect changes position or we change position looking at it. This changing color is called iridescence. The 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
The female lays eggs on the ground or on the milkweed plant. The larvae tunnel through the soil to feed on the roots. Then they pupate in the soil. This lady is currently on a milkweed plant
Judging from the latex oozing from the leaf and the flowers, that looks like dogbane the beetle's on. And judging from the colors of the beetle, I'd say it's a dogbane leaf beetle. A beautiful creature.
Spotted on Jul 8, 2011
Submitted on Jul 8, 2011
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