Dogbane Beetle

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

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

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.

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.