Species Judolia cordifera

Judolia cordifera (Olivier, 1795)

Synonyms:

9-12 mm.

Elytral pattern distinctive within range--see images here. The western Judolia instabilis is similar, and there is perhaps some overlap in range--see Yanega (1) for a discussion.

Includes eastern United States, perhaps only east of the Appalachians (guide images). This species is not listed for Indiana by Blatchley (2), nor is it on checklists for Oklahoma nor Florida.

Found in meadows feeding on flowers.

Adults are typically found from May to August.

Adults are found feeding atop flower heads.

Larvae reported to feed on chestnut, Castanea species (1).

This beetle seems to be fairly common and widespread, at least based on records here. Given the near-extinction of the American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) due to the Chestnut Blight, it seems that larval food plants would possibly include the Chinkapin (Castanea pumila). That species has also declined due to the Chestnut Blight, so it seems likely there are other larval food plants, perhaps other deciduous trees or shrubs. Still, it seems possible there might be some conservation concerns about this beetle.