This attractively striped beetle is part of the larger leaf beetle family (Chrysomelidae). While leaf beetles can vary incredibly in size and color, they are all plant eaters. Many are “picky” about what they eat, sticking to one or very few closely related plant species, or more commonly multiple related plant species, generally within a taxonomic family. Goldenrod Leaf Miners are aptly named. The grub-like larvae live between the two epidermal layers of a goldenrod leaf, feeding on the tissue between. Adults chew the leaves, rather than mine. They are widely distributed, from California to Georgia, New Brunswick to British Columbia.
Photo by: Glenn Marangelo on 4/17/21 in Missoula, MT