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Ninebark Calligrapha

Calligrapha spiraeae[3]

The ninebark calligrapha is a small, domed leaf beetle with ornate markings that feeds on the leaves of ninebark shrubs.[1][2]

Group
Insect
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Chrysomelidae
US records
12 states
Sources
3 cited
Updated
2026-10-16
Ninebark calligrapha beetle with red and black patterned wing covers
Ninebark calligrapha beetle with red and black patterned wing covers. Photo: Conway Hawn, public domain (CC0), via iNaturalist
On this page
  1. Identification
  2. Look-alikes
  3. Where it lives
  4. Biology
  5. Damage and signs
  6. Health risk
  7. Control
  8. Common questions
  9. Sources

How to identify it

  • Adults are 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, oval and domed, with a black head and red wing covers marked with ornate black and white patterns.[1]
  • The scrawly markings on the back give calligraphy beetles their name.[2]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Dogwood calligraphy beetleMany calligraphy beetles look alike; the dogwood calligraphy beetle feeds on dogwoods, so the host plant helps identify the beetle.[2]

Where it lives

Found in Minnesota and Missouri, wherever its host ninebark grows.[1][2]

US map: public records from 12 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Adults are present in May and June in Minnesota.[1]

It is one of nearly 40 North American calligraphy beetles, most tied to particular host plants.[2]

Damage and signs

  • It feeds on the leaves of ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius.[1][2]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1]

Control

Prevention

Identify it by the host plant first: many calligraphy beetles look alike, and this one feeds on ninebark leaves in May and June.[1][2]

Common questions

What is the red beetle with black and white squiggles on my ninebark?
Most likely the ninebark calligrapha, which feeds on ninebark leaves in late spring.[1][2]

Sources

  1. University of Minnesota Extension (What insect is this?), “Ninebark calligrapha.” apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/trees-shrubs/beetles/medium/ninebarkcalligrapha.html (accessed 2026-10-16)
  2. Missouri Department of Conservation, “Ninebark Calligraphy Beetle (Field Guide).” mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/ninebark-calligraphy-beetle (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. iNaturalist, “Calligrapha spiraeae taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/141619 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.