Larger elm leaf beetle

This little critter is about 6mm long. It originated in Europe and has become invasive in the USA and Australia. It's a relative newcomer in Australia, having been first detected in Victoria in 1989. It is destructive to elms, also introduced into Australia, by skeletonising the leaves.

This one was in our garden. We don't have an elm so it had to content itself with hanging out in the bunya bunya tree. Not too delicious I would have thought. I was probably lucky to find it as they hibernate over winter, to wake up in spring and chomp on the new growth.

Thanks for hosting Freespiral. Stay well all.