About Chrysolina americana (Linnaeus, 1758)
Chrysolina americana can reach a length of 5–8 millimetres (0.20–0.31 in). It has colourful elytra marked with metallic green and purple longitudinal stripes. Its wings are quite short, so these beetles can only fly short distances, and most individuals tend to walk instead. This species feeds on various aromatic plants in the family Lamiaceae, mainly on rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) — the common name of this beetle comes from this main host — as well as lavender (Lavandula) and thyme (Thymus). In the Mediterranean region, females lay their eggs in late summer on the leaves of their host plants. The larvae have whitish to blackish bands across their bodies. Larval development continues through the winter months, the pupal stage lasts around three weeks, and the adult imago emerges in spring. Despite carrying the species name americana, this leaf beetle is native and common across southern Europe, North Africa, the Near East and the Middle East.
