Cryptocephalinae

Cryptocephalus nitidus

The case beetle ( Cryptocephalinae ) are a subfamily of the family of leaf beetles ( Chrysomelidae ). They come in Europe with 308 species and subspecies.

Features

The beetles have a stocky build and usually a very eye-catching shiny metal or colored tint. Here, pronotum and elytra are often colored differently. The antennae are long and filiform, the head is directed vertically downwards. The posterior margin of the pronotum is perforated. The hips ( coxae ) of the front legs are separated by the approach of the prothorax.

Way of life

Case beetles feed on the leaves of their host plants, rarely also of bee pollen. Their larvae live in leaf litter and eat detritus ( decaying organic matter ), usually the fallen leaves of their host plant, or less commonly, fresh leaves. You live, protected from predators, in a housing made of feces and secretions. In case of danger, they can withdraw completely into this protective coat. They pupate in their housing.

Systematic classification

The world's widespread subfamily of beetles case includes 5300 species in 127 genera. It is divided into three tribes, including the two previously often considered as separate subfamilies Clytrinae (now Clytrini ) (now Fulcidacini ) count and Chlamisinae.

  • Cryptocephalini with more than 3500 species occur worldwide. Among tribes are: Achaenopina
  • Cryptocephalina
  • Monachulina
  • Pachybrachina
  • Stylosomina
  • Clytrina
  • Megalostomina
  • Babiina

European species ( selection)

  • Two Liniger case beetle ( Cryptocephalus bilineatus ) (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Two Punk Tiger Beetle case ( Cryptocephalus bipunctatus ) (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Herzfleckiger Hooded leaf beetle ( Cryptocephalus cordiger ) (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Cross Bindiger case beetle ( Cryptocephalus moraei ) (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Five Point Case beetle ( Cryptocephalus quinquepunctatus ) ( Scopoli, 1763)
  • Silky case Beetle or Green Blue Beetle case ( Cryptocephalus sericeus ) (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Banded case beetle ( Cryptocephalus vittatus ) Fabricius, 1775
  • Hieroglyphics check beetle ( Pachybrachys hieroglyphicus ) Laicharting, 1781
  • Ant bag beetle ( Clytra laeviuscula )
  • Tituboea biguttata
Polyphaga Leonard Gyllenhaal Nearctic ecozone Afrotropic ecozone Australasian ecozone Africa Caribbean Australia New Zealand Digital Object Identifier
208525
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