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Leaf Beetles - Subfamily Chrysomelinae
- Chrysomeline species follow a
simple life-history pattern. Their eggs laid on host plant and larvae feeding on host
leaves.
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- Most species larvae are in caterpillar shape. They have well developed, dark heads and three pairs of legs, most are pale
brown or creamy in colours, some with dark stripes along the body. They
hatch to grubs, which feed in groups on leaves. When disturbed they defend
themselves as a group by simultaneously regurgitating smelly fluid. They pupate in soil.
Larvae and adults feeding on the same host plants.
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- Chrysomeline adults range in size from about 4 mm to 15 mm in length. They
all have a distinctive circular, highly-convex shape. Many species are metallic, pink, yellow, beige, or
red in colours. Some have finely patterned wing covers, some are strongly patterned with red and black and some
are plain brown or black. They usually hibernate during winter under
loose bark of the host tree. They emerge in spring to lay eggs and start the
new generation.
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- Most Chrysomelinae species are primarily associated with two type of host
plants, Eucalyptus and Acacia. Both adults and larvae use
chemical-secreting glands for defending against predators.
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- We found quite a number of species in this subfamily. They are listed in
different genera as follows;
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 Genus Dicranosterna- All Dicranosternaspecies feed on Acacia. Their larvae
are in globular shape. There are 34 described
species
and all are endemic to Australia.
We found two species in Brisbane.
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 Genus Paropsis - Paropsis species vary in size and colour, many are brightly
coloured, with intricate patterns on the wing covers. Most of them, both adults
and larvae, feed on Eucalyptus. Some feed on Acacia.
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 Genus Paropsisterna - Paropsisterna species are shining brown or black
in colour. Some species have a few large red or orange spots on a black or brown background.
Most of them, both adults and larvae, feed on eucalyptus. The genus Paropsisterna
has been recently expanded to include Chrysophtharta.
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 Genus
Calomela
- Calomela species are particularly associated with Acacia.
Both adults and larvae feed on the leaf, some adults feed on the flower as
well. Calomela adults are usually have the narrow and flat body shape.
Most of them are bright coloured.
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 Genus
Lamprolina
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Lamprolina species adults are usually have the narrow and flat body
shape. Most of them are bright coloured.
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 Other
Genera
- All other Leaf Beetles in sub-family Chrysomelinae we found are put in this
web page.
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- Reference:
- 1. A taxonomic revision of the Australian Chrysomelinae, with a key to the genera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) - Reid, C.A.M., Zootaxa 1292, 2006.
- 2. Chrysomelinae Latreille, 1802 - Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australia 2005.
- 3. Leaf beetles (Paropsines) - S. A. Lawson and J. King, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland, 2006.
- 4. Chrysomelid Beetles
Chrysophtharta spp. and Paropsis spp.- PIRSA Forestry, 1994.
- 5. Key to the Chrysomelinae of New South Wales - FaunaNet, Australian Museum, 2003.
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