Chrysomela scripta (Fabricius, 1801) and semota (Brown, 1956)[]
Arthropods (Arthropoda)----Insects (Insecta)----Beetles (Coleoptera)----Polyphaga---Chrysomeloidea----Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae)----Chrysomelinae---Chrysomela---C. scripta
2nd June, 2008. Chrysomela semota. Found in a patch of long grass.
Regarding Chrysomela scripta:
The Cottonwood leaf beetle is the most common and widespread member of its genus, and is not restricted to cottonwood forests as its name might suggest, the name was probably invented if the first specimen recorded in science was found in/ near a cottonwood forest.
Chrysomela species are often mistaken for ladybirds, and are some of the most ladybird-like leaf beetles in North America. They used to be considered pests on Willows but this is no longer the case. Larvae feed on Willow (Salix sp.), Poplar (Populus sp.)and Cottonwood tree leaves (also Populus sp.).
Size[]
5-6mm.
Regarding Chrysomela semota:
Chrysomela semota is a very similar species with shorter bands, though sometimes it requires a key to identify it from other species.