Leaf beetle

Leaf beetle

The leaf beetles ( Chrysomelidae ) form with around 50,000 species currently described, worldwide spread a large family among the beetles. In Germany alone there are over 470 species. As herbivores, leaf beetles are often harmful, such as Colorado potato beetle, flea beetles, asparagus chicken, poplar leaf beetle or alder leaf beetle.

Construction of the leaf beetle

The adults of the leaf beetle are small to medium in size, that is, their body size is 1-18 millimeters. They tend to have a domed, oval body shape and are often metallic and shiny or colorful. The head is round (without snout ). The sensors are usually shorter, ie a maximum of half the length of the torso. The second antennal segment is of normal size (as opposed to them closely related longhorn beetles ). The antennal segments are more or less uniform, more than towards the tip they can gradually thicken. However, the first antennal segment is usually stronger than the following antennal segments formed. The eyes are also mostly about. The pronotum is different rounded and rarely bulging beulig. The first three sternites are not fused, but instead are continuous separation seams present. All leaf beetles have wings. The wings are seldom shortened and allow a maximum of the last tergite ( pygidium ) free. The rails ( tibiae ) have at most one Enddorn getting stuck mostly to the eyes in the pronotum ( pronotum ). The Fußformel is apparently four members, with a breitlappigen third term. Most of the leaf beetles are bald.

The larvae are elongated, cylindrical, often with warts or projections.

Way of life

The adults feed mostly on leaves, which they gnaw, skeletonize or perforate. The genus Oreina is widespread montane to alpine, is relatively large ( Imagines about 1 cm) and very colorful. Their colors shimmer in the sunlight like diamonds. Some species use in their defensive secretions named for the leaf beetles chrysomelidial.

Reproduction and larval development

The leaf beetles mate mostly polygamous. The females lay their eggs singly, small heaps or rows on their food plants from. The females of some species, such as Phaedon, sink their eggs in flachgenagten holes or pits in leaves, stems and twigs. Females from other subfamilies, such as Clytrinae, Cassidinae and Cryptocephalinae, cover their eggs with a Kothülle ( Skatoconche ) in order to prevent the unit from predators. A particular subfamily form the Donaciinae. These beetles live both above and under water to water plants. The eggs of the Donaciinae be wrapped in jelly, rows of leaves over or stored under water. The larvae bore her head in roots, stems or floating leaves and suck the plant juices while.

Subfamilies and species ( selection)

• Seed beetles ( Bruchinae )
• Tortoise beetle ( Cassidinae ) Tribus Cassidini Green tortoise beetle ( Cassida viridis)

• Rotsaum leaf-beetle ( Chrysomela sanguinolenta )
• Colorado potato beetle ( Leptinotarsa ​​decemlineata )
• Poplar Leaf Beetle ( Melasoma populi )
• Sky Blue Leaf Beetle ( Chrysolina coerulans )
• Superb leaf beetle ( Chrysolina fastuosa )
• Paws beetle ( Timarcha tenebricosa )
• Bluish Violet Paws beetle ( Timarcha goettingensis )
• Wide willow leaf beetle ( Plagiodera versicolora )
• Spotted willow leaf beetle ( Melasoma vigintipunctata )
• Variable willow leaf beetle ( Phytodecta viminalis )
• Blue willow leaf beetle ( Phratora vulgatissima )
• Green Sorrel beetle ( Gastrophysa viridula )
• Chrysolina sturmi

• Cereal leaf beetle or Large cereal leaf beetle ( Oulema melanopus )
• Mean asparagus chicken ( Crioceris asparagi )
• Twelve point asparagus beetle ( Crioceris duodecimpunctata )
• Lily chicken ( Lilioceris lilii )
• Lily of the Valley chicken ( Lilioceris merdigera )

• Tribus Cryptocephalini Five Point Case beetle ( Cryptocephalus quinquepunctatus )
• Banded case beetle ( Cryptocephalus vittatus )
• Hieroglyphics check beetle ( Pachybrachys hieroglyphicus )
• Silky case Beetle or Green Blue Beetle case ( Cryptocephalus sericeus )

• Ant bag beetle ( Clytra laeviuscula )
• Labidostomis tridentata

• Reed beetles ( Donacia semicuprea )
• Macroplea pubipennis

• Tribus Galerucini Blue alder leaf beetle ( Agelastica alni )
• Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera )
• Exosoma lusitanicum
• Hairy willow leaf beetle ( Galerucella lineola )
• Water lily leaf beetle ( Galerucella nymphaeae )
• Tansy leaf beetle ( Galeruca tanaceti )
• Galeruca pomonae
• Brown Yellow willow leaf beetle ( Lochmaea capreae )
• Black willow leaf beetle ( Luperus lyperus )
• Elm leaf beetle ( Xanthogaleruca luteola )

• Genus flea beetles ( Psylliodes ) Big Rapserdfloh ( Psylliodes chrysocephala )

The Orsodacnidae and Megalopodidae have recently been spun off as a separate family. The Zeugophorinae are now a subfamily of Megalopodidae.