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
Photos AD
Image by Vin Patel, used with permission.
Image by David de Little, used with permission.
Mid August 2010
Knocklofty Reserve, Nipaluna/Hobart
Photos KE
Late November 2021
Inala, Bruny Island
Different individuals
Photos KE
Early December 2025
Knocklofty Reserve, Nipaluna/Hobart
Photos KE
Late November 2021
Inala, Bruny Island
Photos KE
Late November 2021
Inala, Bruny Island
Photos KE
Early November 2022
Knocklofty Reserve, nipaluna/ Hobart
Photos KE
Late September 2011
Peter Murrell Reserve, Blackmans Bay
Photos KE
. 
In flight
Late November 2012
Knocklofty Reserve, nipaluna/Hobart
Photos KE
Mid October 2012
Waverley Flora Park, Bellerive
Black Morph
Photos KE
Mid January 2012
Mount Wellington, kunanyi
This young adult is closer to losing its teneral colours.
Photo AD
Late February 2014
Knocklofty Reserve, nipaluna/Hobart
Photos KE
Peter Murrell Reserve, Blackmans Bay
Newly emerged beetles.
Photos KE
Tarraleah
Photos KE
A mixed group – the lighter larva with the black bands is P. variicollis.
Larvae
Early February 2010
Peter Murrell Reserve, Blackmans Bay.
Photo KE
Late November 2021
Inala, South Bruny
Photo KE
Late November 2021
Inala, South Bruny
Photo KE
Early January 2023
Tarraleah
Photos KE
Hatching Larvae
Late December 2011
Knocklofty Reserve, nipaluna/Hobart
Photos KE
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