Chrysochus auratus

Dogbane leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae). Naples, New York, USA.

Xanthonia

The small brownish leaf beetles in the genus Xanthonia are a common but often overlooked insect, usually associated with oak trees. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.

A gregarious cluster of Paropsisterna eucalyptus leaf beetles. These insects are chemically defended and are apparently more successful in advertising that fact in numbers. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

When disturbed, Paropsisterna eucalyptus leaf beetle larvae evert abdominal glands that release poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Stolas

A tropical leaf beetle, Stolas sp. (Chrysomelidae) Armenia, Belize

Stolas

A tropical leaf beetle, Stolas sp. (Chrysomelidae) Armenia, Belize

Hemisphaerota cyanea

Palmetto Tortoise Beetle- mating pair. Gainesville, Florida, USA

Plagiometriona c.f. clavata larva with fecal shield

La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica (Thanks to Carlos de la Rosa for rearing the larva out for an identification)

Plagiometriona c.f. clavata larva with fecal shield

Larvae of many leaf beetles wear a shield of their own excretia as a defensive strategy. La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. (Thanks to Carlos de la Rosa for rearing the larva out for an identification)

Glyptoscelis pubescens

Hairy leaf beetle. South Bristol, New York, USA.

Aspicela bourcieri

Maquipucuna Reserve, Ecuador.

Oulema collaris

Spiderwort leaf beetle on its host plant. Austin, Texas, USA.

Lema opulenta

A nightshade leaf beetle feeds on tomato leaves. The bright colors presumably advertise the insect's toxicity. Austin, Texas, USA.

Calligrapha

A pleasingly plump leaf beetle larva. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Texas, USA.

Calligrapha

Leaf beetles in the genus Calligrapha are aptly named for the inscriptions on their elytra. Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Austin, USA.

Zygogramma

Leaf Beetle. Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA.

Zygogramma

Leaf Beetles. Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA.