Labidomera suturella
Labidomera suturella, commonly known as the tropical milkweed leaf beetle is a species of beetle from the family Chrysomelidae.
Description
L. suturella is a small, rounded beetle with a black head, pronotum, and elytra - the elytra are spotted with orange or yellow patches.Distribution
L. suturella has a native range in Central and Southern America, from Northern Mexico to Brazil.Lifecycle
Adults are active between April and August.A study has shown that this species exhibits maternal care of larvae; they were observed guarding larvae whilst feeding on Witheringia heteroclita in Costa Rica This was a response to predatory threats, as worker ants of Paraponera clavata were observed carrying larvae to their nest.