Calligrapha beetles

Above and below are pictures of a Calligrapha beetle (Calligrapha sp.). These are stunning beetles that look similar to huge ladybird beetles and are aptly named. The beautiful, black, intricate markings on their wing cases resemble the strokes from a calligraphy pen. I have only found them on our mountain hollyhock (Iliamna rivularis) leaves (they are leaf eaters). There are several species of Calligrapha beetles and each species is loosely associated with a host plant, commonly on dogwood (Cornus spp) and willow (Salix spp). The markings and coloration on many of the species are truly astounding- and are much more beautiful in real life than these pictures do them credit.