The adults of this species can vary somewhat. The common mainland mature form have elytra with golden brown main colouration. In Tasmania the main colourations are grey-green or red-brown with light speckles (particularly bright around the scutellum). An entirely black morph occurs on both the mainland and Tasmania. The teneral (newly emerged) adults of both coloured and black morphs are grey-black with red elytral and pronotal trim that fades as they age, eventually changing to their mature colours.
Mid November 2011
Mount Wellington, kunanyi
Image by Vin Patel, used with permission.
Image by David de Little, used with permission.
Mid August 2010
Knocklofty Reserve, Hobart
Late November 2021
Inala, Bruny Island
Different Individuals
Late November 2021
Inala, Bruny Island
Late November 2021
Inala, Bruny Island
Early November 2022
Knocklofty Reserve, nipaluna/ Hobart
Late September 2011
Peter Murrell Reserve, Blackmans Bay
. 
In flight
Late November 2012
Knocklofty Reserve, Hobart
Mid October 2012
Waverley Flora Park, Bellerive
Black Morph
Mid January 2012
Mount Wellington, kunanyi
This young adult is closer to losing its teneral colours.
Late February 2014
Knocklofty Reserve, Hobart
Peter Murrell Reserve, Blackmans Bay
Newly emerged beetles.
Early January 2023Tarraleah
A mixed group – the lighter larva with the black bands is P. variicollis.
Larvae
Early February 2010
Peter Murrell Reserve, Blackmans Bay.
Late November 2021
Inala, South Bruny
Late November 2021
Inala, South Bruny
Early January 2023
Tarraleah
Hatching Larvae
Late December 2011
Knocklofty Reserve, Hobart
References
Nahrung, H. F. 2004. Biology of Chrysophtharta agricola (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), a pest of Eucalyptus plantations in south-eastern Australia. Australian Forestry 67 (1): 59-66.