Does anyone recognise these insects?

Spud16

Hi, I found these insects in my garden. I think the beetle might be a leaf beetle but I’m not sure about the black caterpillar type creature. The beetle is only about 0.5cm long and is quite hard. The caterpillar creature looks large in the photo but is only about 1cm long and about 0.1cm thick. My poplar tree leaves were shredded last year but I was late in the season spotting the damage and I noticed these metallic beetles on some mint. This year I’ve removed about 12 beetles and 3 of the little black caterpillar type creatures from my poplar tree. Can anyone identify or confirm? Thanks.

Crazybeelady

Has the beetle got stripes? Might be a Rosemary beetle.

wild edges

The beetles will no doubt be mint beetles given that's where you found them, although there are a few similar looking leaf beetles.

https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/mint-leaf-beetle

and the caterpillars are young puss moth caterpillars. Stunning caterpillars and moths so you're very lucky to have them. Great ones to raise to adults so if you do want rid of them you could always see if a school or somewhere wants them as a project.

https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/puss-moth

delski

wild edges said:

The beetles will no doubt be mint beetles given that's where you found them, although there are a few similar looking leaf beetles.

I once found a blue mint beetle on my spirea so...

Spud16

Hi,
thank you so much for the prompt feedback. The beetles are a lovely metallic colour which seems to vary from brown to greenish blue but they don’t appear to have stripes. I’m happy to leave them where they are and just keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get out of control. Thanks again for the impressive knowledge. 

delski

Apparently blue mint beetles are also easily confused with alder leaf beetles and fuscia flea beetles so it's good that your beetles are not blue.