What bug is this?

[Steve Hood]

This was taken in September but I wasn't sure what it was.

[BetCrooks]

I'm certainly not an expert, but it looks a bit like a Swamp Milkweed Leaf beetle?
http://bugguide.net/node/view/837344/bgimage
You may want to post to BugGuide.Net's ID Request for confirmation.

[gary yankech]

this is a swamp milkweed leaf beetle......can get confused with a ladybug.

[Steve Hood]

Thanks.  That was it.

[Leslie]

Do these beetles happen to eat the leaves of swamp milkweed, or is that too obvious?

[BetCrooks]

According to BugGuide.net:
Food
Foliage, flowers, of milkweed, especially Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), but also found on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Also on swallow-wort (Cynanchum) and twinevine (Funastrum = Sarcostem

[Leslie]

They can eat both native and non-native milkweeds?  Wonder if they'd like to teach the monarchs that trick...