leaf beetles

6013    Hi my name is Sydney and we are currently at South Bay, Turtle Lake, Saskatchewan and we have been here for a few days and noticed a lot of reeds washed up on the beach. It’s May long so the beach is always a mess from the melted ice but there are excess reeds. After 3 days of being here we noticed bump like things all over the reeds (tons of them) and after sitting on the beach for a few minute we noticed some of them starting to move and fly around. Within the hour of sitting there they were everywhere. All over our clothes, hair, chairs and everything. They seem harmless but more annoying and creepy crawly. They’ve now somewhat clung to all the windows and outside of the cabin. It was cool and windy all day yesterday but today it’s about 18-19 degrees. And for size they’re about 7-8mm long. Just curious of what they are and if they are harmful in anyway. Thank you.

These are leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae); likely in the subfamily Galerucinae, but I am uncertain as to the exact species. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.