Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Chrysolina americana

Size:  Approx 8mm long

Distribution:  Found in parts of Scotland, Wales and England (especially in the southern counties)

Months seen:  May to October

Habitat:  Gardens, allotments and parks

Food:  Rosemary, thyme and other herbs

Special features:  Rosemary leaf beetles have a metallic green body with red and blue stripes running the length of the body.  In the sunlight these stripes reflect all the colours of the rainbow, rather like oil on water.

Despite the scientific name, this beetle is a native of southern Europe.  It was first noticed in the U.K. in the early 1990's and has since become well established.

The larvae are a creamy-white colour, with grey lines along the length of their body.

Related Pages

• Rosemary Leaf Beetle Sightings
• UK Safari Beetles Section
• UK Safari Invertebrates Section
• Identify other wildlife
• Free Newsletter