Family: Chrysomelidae
Subfamily: Chrysomelinae
Length: 8-12 mm
This beetle is usually found on Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata. This plant is similar to Common Milkweed, but has narrow leaves and the flowers are in a more flattened formation rather than a ball. When Swamp Milkweed isn't available, the species sometimes feeds on other species of Milkweed.
Several observers have reported that this species hibernates under the flannel-like leaves of common mullein.
Labidomera clivicollis is an especially convex, robust species. The head and pronotum are black, often with a metallic blue or green luster. The legs and antennae are also black. The elytra are orange with black markings, and punctate. The elytral markings vary somewhat, with some of the spots merged on some individuals and separate on others. As with so many Leaf Beetles, identifying the host plant is a useful first step in identifying the beetle.
