About Chrysolina hyperici (Forster, 1771)
Chrysolina hyperici, commonly known as the Saint John's wort beetle, is a beetle species belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. It was originally distributed across Europe and Asia, and has since been introduced to other regions to act as a biological control agent for Hypericum perforatum. In early fall, adult females of this species lay up to 2,000 eggs on the host plant, specifically on the undersides of leaves from new fall basal growth of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Larvae feed on the host plant's leaves for one month; they emerge to feed at night and hide during the day. Once fully grown, larvae move into the soil to pupate. Adults emerge after two weeks of pupation. In spring, the new adults feed on the fresh new growth of their host plant.
