image Hottentot Fig

they like these!!! seems you read correct information...

very lovely photo...

from jane.

The beetles are a beautiful shade of green.
Do they, however, damage the plant?

Apparently they are leaf eaters, so yes. I'm not sure to what extents they damage them. They have a terrible long name, Cryptocephalus being the 1st. I won't bother you with the 2nd. It's a Leaf Beetle to you & me.

Cryptos. Cephalus. Hmmm...
Lol!

That's The First Time I've Seen That Beetle. Amazing.

It's a bit large , is it indigenous ?
And what sort of leaves does it like , anyway ?

This pic was taken in July (Tresco gardens) when I holidayed in the Scilly Isles. The beetles were only about 1/4 -1/2inch in length.The Field Guide says they like Hawkweeds & other composites( daisy type flowers) especially yellow ones.It's a big family of metallic beetles of which there are many in Britain inc. this one. Thank-you for your interest.

They did one on Country -File last night ; it lives on the Tansey plant in the North East , Feve .

Yes, I saw that , Driad. It wasn't in the field guide tho' so I think it must be quite rare.