Dead-Nettle Leaf Beetle (Crysolina fastuosa)

Dead-Nettle Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina fastuosa)

The Dead-nettle leaf beetle, Chrysolina fastuosa, is a stunning metallic beetle belonging to the Chrysomelidae family (leaf beetles). It is best known for its vibrant iridescent colors and its close association with dead-nettles and other mint-family plants.

🪲 Identification

• Size: ~6–8 mm in length
• Shape: Oval, convex body
• Coloration:
  • Iridescent: brilliant green, blue, purple, or bronze
  • Often has a striped appearance with metallic hues
• Antennae: Thin, black, and relatively long

The brilliant, jewel-like coloring helps distinguish this beetle from other leaf beetles.

🌿 Habitat

• Found in:
  • Meadows
  • Roadside verges
  • Field margins
  • Gardens, especially those with wild plants
• Prefers areas with dead-nettles (Lamium spp.), hedge woundwort, and other mint-family (Lamiaceae) plants

🌱 Diet

• Larvae and adults feed primarily on:
  • Dead-nettle leaves
  • Hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica)
  • Other members of the mint family
• Creates distinctive holes in leaves as it grazes

🔁 Life Cycle

• Adults are most commonly seen from spring to late summer
• Eggs are laid on host plants
• Larvae feed on the same foliage before pupating in the soil
• One or possibly two generations per year, depending on climate

🌍 Distribution

• Widespread across:
  • Europe, including the UK
  • Occasionally seen in temperate regions of Asia
• Considered locally common but easily overlooked due to its small size

🧬 Interesting Facts

• The iridescence is not from pigment, but from structural coloration, caused by microscopic layers in the cuticle that reflect light
• Despite its dazzling colors, it has effective camouflage among the shiny green leaves of its host plants
• Plays a minor role in controlling overgrowth of certain mint-family plants

The Dead-nettle Leaf Beetle is a perfect example of nature’s artistry in miniature. Its brilliant, shifting colors and preference for wildflowers make it a charming species to spot for nature lovers and photographers alike.

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