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Labidomera clivicollis, a Leaf Beetle
How wonderful to find your website while Googling to get more information on the Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle that is devasting my garden milkweed. After having viewed pictures on numerous sites I am certain that this is the pest that I am dealing with. I live in Tallahassee, Florida, and devote my entire yard to bird and butterfly gardening. As such I have milkweeds that are planted for the specific intent of providing food for the Monarch Butterflies on their migrations in both Spring and Fall. I do not spray any insecticide, ever, and have been hand plucking and yes, killing, this pest, as it can strip a healthy milkweed in almost no time at all. Do you have any information on its life cycle, habits, anything that I can use to help keep it at bay? As much as I dislike having to destroy it, if I don’t it won’t leave any milkweeds for the Monarchs. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can offer.
Thank you!
Francie Stoutamire

Hi Francie,
Thanks for the nice letter. Sadly, we can’t tell you anything about the life cycle of Labidomera clivicollis except that both larvae and adults feed on milkweed.

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