Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana) Science Image

Ref: 80200851



Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Despite its latin name this beetle is native to southern europe. It was first seen during the 1990s and is now established in the UK. It is classed as a pest, feeding on herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage and lavender. As it is brachypterous (having reduced wings) it cannot fly thus restricting its ability to spread far. It has metallic green, blue and red stripes and produces rainbow colours in sunlight. Magnification x10 at at image size of 10 cm wide.