Rosemary Beetle

Chrysolina Americana, the common name Rosemary Beetle, is a species of beetle belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. The rosemary beetle was first spotted in the UK in London in 1994 and quickly spread through much of the UK. Native to southern Europe, the species probably arrived here on an imported rosemary plant. Some gardeners consider it a pest as the larvae and adults nibble a bit off rosemary or lavender leaves, but others appreciate it as a beautiful addition to their gardens.

The length of the Rosemary beetle can range from 5-8 millimeters. They have vibrant elytra with longitudinal metallic green and purple streaks. These beetles can fly briefly because of their tiny wings, but the majority of them prefer to walk. Late summer is when females lay their eggs on the leaves of the host plants in the Mediterranean region. The bands on the larvae range from white to black. In the winter, larval development continues. Three weeks or so are spent in the pupal stage. In the spring, the imago is made available.