Dogbane Beetle

Scientific Name: Chrysochus auratus

Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera; Family: Chrysomelidae

Size: 8 to 11 mm (0.3 to 0.4 inches) in length.

Dogbane Beetle

Natural Habitat

Found in meadows, fields, and gardens near its host plant, specifically Apocynum species (Dogbane) and occasionally Asclepias (Milkweed).

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous. Adults feed on the leaves of dogbane and milkweed; larvae feed on the roots of the same plants.

Behavior Patterns

Active during the day in summer months. They possess a metallic, iridescent exoskeleton that shifts colors from green to copper. When threatened, they can exude a foul-smelling chemical from glands to deter predators.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans. Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem for their host plants, but they are considered a minor garden pest if they consume ornamental plants in the dogbane family.

Identified on: 3/25/2026