Species Labidomera clivicollis - Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle

Milkweed Leaf Beetle

There are four species of Labidomera, but only L. clivicollis occurs north of Mexico. The other species occur in Mexico and Central America. (1)

8-12 mm

Distinctive large black and orange/red beetle found on milkweed. Larva is orange, with well-developed legs.

Occur in every state east of the Rocky Mountains, and into northern Mexico. (1)

Meadows, roadsides, with milkweed, esp. wetlands with Swamp Milkeed, Asclepias incarnata.

Late spring, summer to fall. Some adults overwinter and are presumably the ones observed in spring. June-July, September (Minnesota). Adults less common, or absent, in mid-summer. In Durham, North Carolina, adults observed active on milkweed starting in late May. (pers. observation, P. Coin)

Foliage, flowers, of milkweed, esp. Swamp Milkeed, Asclepias incarnata, but also found on Common Milkeed, Asclepias syriaca. Also on Cynanchum and Sarcostemma. (2)

Often overwinter as adults among leaves of such plants as mullein (Verbascum). Adults mate on or around milkweed. Eggs are cemented to the underside of leaves. Larvae feed on leaves, drop to ground to pupate. (3)

Illustrated Life cycle.

Part of the orange and black milkweed mimicry complex, which inlcudes Monarch butterfly, Red Milkweed Beetle, Milkweed bugs, and at least one assassin bug.

Both larvae and adults of this species cut several side-veins of a milkweed leaf prior to feeding, to reduce the sticky latex that would otherwise be produced at their feeding sites. (4)

Milne, p. 609, plate 151 (3)

Rea, p. 54, pictures adult and larva (5)

Dillon, p. 685, plate LXIX #7 (6)

Papp, p. 241, fig. 794 (7)

Arnett, p. 326, fig. 764 (8)

Brimley, p. 225--lists collection dates for North Carolina as May, June (9)

Balsbaugh, p. 92, reports from Alabama with collection dates in July (10)

Cirrus Digital Imaging

Insects of Cedar Creek: photos, phenology table (for family)

Texas Entomology - Mike Quinn