Dogbane Leaf Beetle

The surface of the body parts of this beetle is made up of stacks of tiny, slanting plates, under which is a pigment (substance that produces color). Some light rays reflect from the surface of the plates, and other light rays reflect from the pigment underneath. At different angles, the light reflects at different speeds, causing interference and resulting in our seeing different colors that shine.

The female lays eggs on the ground or on the milkweed plant. The larvae tunnel through the soil to feed on the roots. Then they pupate in the soil.