Insect experts: what kind of beetle is this?

Question

I found him on the ground in Medford Oregon. he is about an inch long and hisses when agitated. 7 full length white stripes and 2 short ones. I was told by a master landscaper that they are considered a nuisance by some lame government agency and should be killed but he is too cool for that. Possibly a Colorado potato beetle, or a false potato beetle?

http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/SakoTGrimes/?action=view&current=DCFC0007.jpg

heres a crappy picture

Answer 1

It is definitely a False Potato Beetle.  Below is  a better image of one.

Answer 2

First of all, it is NOT a "bug" of any kind, especially a "false Potato Bug.  It is a beetle.  They are harmless.  They feed on plant matter and will not eat in captivity, so release it now so it can survive.

Beautiful animal isn't it?

Answer 3

Learn to ID them, here -

http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&k...  

http://www.zin.ru/animalia/coleoptera/en...