CLOSED: What family could this beetle belong to ?

bonitin Gent, Belgium(Zone 8a) Sep 05, 2008

I don't manage to find out its family.. It had such strange shield-wings it looks like they are too small, or could it be a juvenile?
I found it some days ago among wild vegetation in a local Nature Reserve.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Sep 05, 2008

This is a leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae); appearing to be a very gravid female. The young (larvae) of these beetles are far different in appearance from the adults - see http://www.uoguelph.ca/pdc/Factsheets/ImagesFactsheets/larvae.JPG for an example (these are not the larvae of the species you photographed).

Post #5511068

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bonitin Gent, Belgium(Zone 8a) Sep 05, 2008

I see! Thank you Suunto! Now I can continue my search..

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Sep 05, 2008

I searched for 'green leaf beetle, came up with some names.

http://www.natureportfolio.co.uk/insects/beetles.php

Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis looks good,

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=Cryptocephalus%20hypochaeridis&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

Post #5511473

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Sep 05, 2008

Chrysolina menthastri is another green leaf beetle, maybe closer to yours but the other one had shortened wings in one pic!

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=Chrysolina%20menthastri&cr=countryUK%7CcountryGB&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

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bonitin Gent, Belgium(Zone 8a) Sep 05, 2008

Thank you wallaby, But I cannot look now at your links, having some troubles again with internet connections, sigh...!

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Sep 05, 2008

My connection is giving problems too, a rainy Friday afternoon with busy lines, no router for broadband yet either! Should have set up today!

None of the pics are very good on the links but may give some idea.

Post #5511907

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bonitin Gent, Belgium(Zone 8a) Sep 09, 2008

I think I found its ID, the likeness is really striking; Chrysolina fastuosa

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jeannelauwen.nl/natuurfotografie/albums/imagesd/thumb_veelkleurig%2520goudhaantje.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jeannelauwen.nl/natuurfotografie/thumbnails.php%3Falbum%3D94&h=95&w=95&sz=3&hl=nl&start=11&um=1&usg=__XpEp-jauxmWUcWg_hnF3ADt_UzY=&tbnid=qAjFl-rdaabv5M:&tbnh=80&tbnw=80&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dblauw%2Bwilgenhaantje%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dnl%26lr%3D%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:nl:%26rlz%3D1I7GGIC%26sa%3DN

It has various plants on its menu like nettles, mint and other plants from the Labiatae family.
Mine was not feeding on mint, not quite sure what plant is was though, should have paid attention to that.

This one has also shortened wings, it looks so identical. Perhaps this one is also pregnant..