Global InformationChrysochus auratus information
| Dogbane beetle | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Subfamily: | Eumolpinae |
| Tribe: | Eumolpini |
| Genus: | Chrysochus |
| Species: | C. auratus
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| Binomial name | |
| Chrysochus auratus (Fabricius, 1775)
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| Synonyms | |
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Chrysomela aurata Fabricius, 1775 | |
Chrysochus auratus, more commonly known as the dogbane beetle, is a leaf beetle primarily found in the eastern United States. The beetle is approximately 8 to 11 mm in length, and possesses an oblong and convex shape. This beetle has two pairs of wings, one of which is a pair of copper colored elytra. The beetle is typically found to have a blue-green hue, and its color is often used to ward away potential predators.
A major aspect of this beetles' day to day life is sexual reproduction, as the beetles typically live a highly polygamous lifestyle.[1] This beetle has also been found to participate in interbreeding with Chrysochus cobaltinus in certain geographic regions, resulting in hybrid offspring. Its diet consists primarily of dogbane (Apocynum), specifically Apocynum cannabinum and Apocynum androsaemifolium.[2] C. auratus has developed several different adaptations that allow it to eat dogbane, such as its ability to process the toxins in dogbane leaves. Due to its diet of exclusively dogbane, C. auratus has been considered as a potential mechanism of biological control for agricultural purposes.
- ^ Peterson, Merrill; Honchak, Barbara; Locke, Steranie; Beeman, Timothy; Mendoza, Jessica; Green, Jabin; Buckingham, Kati (May 2007). "Relative Abundance and the Species-Specific Reinforcement of Male Mating in the Chrysochus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Hybrid Zone". Evolution. 59 (12). doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2005.tb00976.x. S2CID 25481151.
- ^ Peterson, M. A.; Dobler, S.; Holland, J.; T., L.; Locke, S. (2001). "Behavioral, Molecular, and Morphological Evidence for a Hybrid Zone Between Chrysochus auratus and C. cobaltinus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)" (PDF). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 94 (1): 1–10. doi:10.1603/0013-8746(2001)094[0001:BMAMEF]2.0.CO;2.