Megalopodidae

Megalopodidae can be distinguished from the closely related family Chrysomelidae by their classification as a separate family-level taxon, though external morphological characters require expert examination. The subfamily Zeugophorinae (containing the genus Zeugophora) has historically been treated as part of either Megalopodidae or Chrysomelidae, creating taxonomic confusion. Identification to genus and species level requires reference to specialized keys and examination of male genitalia in some groups.

Forest fragments and vegetated areas where host plants occur. In Brazil, species have been collected in forest fragments of southwestern and western Paraná using Malaise traps and manual sampling.

Primarily circumtropical distribution worldwide. Highest diversity occurs in the Neotropical biogeographic region, followed by the Ethiopian region. Present in Mexico (31 species in 3 genera), Brazil (147 species in 11 genera), Siberia and the Russian Far East (15 species in 3 genera), and the United States and Canada. Knowledge is geographically biased with significant gaps in many regions.

Herbivory on vascular plants. Larvae of some species are leaf miners. Other larvae feed on stem tissue or bore into branches. Some larvae feed on pollen grains of conifer strobili. Adults and larvae of Palophaginae feed on araucarian pollen in Australia.

• Solanaceae - host plantmainly damaged by endophytic immatures that bore into branches
• Asteraceae - host plantMastostethus pantherinus associated with this family for the first time in Brazil
• Araucariaceae - host plantPalophaginae feed on araucarian pollen
• Coniferae - host plantlarvae feed on pollen grains of conifer strobili

Larvae are endophytic, feeding internally in leaves, stems, or conifer strobili. Once fully grown, the larva drops to the ground and pupates in the soil.

Endophytic larval feeding behavior: larvae bore into plant tissues including leaves, stems, and branches. Some species are economically important due to this boring damage.

Herbivores on vascular plants. Endophytic feeding on plant tissues contributes to nutrient cycling and plant damage. Some species are economically significant pests due to boring damage to commercially important plants.

Economically important as pests due to endophytic larval feeding that damages Solanaceae and other crop plants. Damage occurs through boring into branches and stems.

• ChrysomelidaeMegalopodidae was previously treated as a subfamily within Chrysomelidae, and Zeugophorinae has been variously placed in either family; requires careful taxonomic examination to distinguish
• OrsodacnidaeAnother small leaf beetle family historically associated with Chrysomelidae, with which Megalopodidae shares superfamilial placement in Chrysomeloidea

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Diversity and distribution in the world of Megalopodidae Latreille (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea)
• Host plants of leaf beetle species occurring in the United States and Canada : (Coleoptera: Megalopodidae, Orsodacnidae, Chrysomelidae, excluding Bruchinae)
• Checklist of the family Megalopodidae Latreille (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea); a synthesis of its diversity and distribution
• Mexican leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Megalopodidae, Orsodacnidae, and Chrysomelidae): new records and checklist
• Review of leaf beetles of the family Megalopodidae (Coleoptera: Chrysomeloidea) from Siberia and the Russian Far East
• Megalopodidae (Insecta, Coleoptera): new occurrence and host plant records for Brazil
• A comparative study of the external male genitalia in the subfamily Zeugophorinae, and a new species of genus Zeugophora (Coleoptera, Megalopodidae) from China.
• Redescription of the Neotropical genus Agathomerus (Coleoptera, Megalopodidae, Megalopodinae) and description of three new species from Mexico.