Apparently a recent arrival to NY state as evidenced by BG posts by others.
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_potato_beetle
Shown here on a plant with which it is closely associated,
Solanum carolinense, Carolina horsenettle. Note the evidence of munching on the entire leaf, and munching by skeletonizing which is what the female is doing. I wrote a poem:
"The False Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa juncta"
These beetles eat weeds solanaceous
With appetites bold and rapacious.
When mating on nettle
They’re both in fine fettle.
Thank God their grips are tenacious!
Contributed by
John Lampkin on 19 July, 2013 - 6:57pm
Last updated 27 January, 2014 - 12:03pm