Chrysomeloidea

Latreille, 1802

Leaf Beetles and Allies

Chrysomeloidea is a large superfamily of comprising tens of thousands of , primarily in two major : (long-horned beetles, >35,000 species) and (, >13,000 species). Additional families include , , Disteniidae, Oxypeltidae, and Vesperidae. Members are predominantly , feeding on material at various . The superfamily is characterized by the reduced and hidden fourth tarsal , concealed by the third segment—a shared with other Phytophaga.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.

Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.

Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysomeloidea: //ˌkɹaɪsəˈmɛlɔɪdiə//

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Identification

Distinguished from other cucujiform superfamilies by the cryptic fourth tarsal , which is reduced and largely concealed by the third segment. Within the superfamily, can be separated by length ( and allies with very long antennae, often exceeding body length; with short to moderate antennae), body form, and larval habits. Molecular places Chrysomelidae as sister to remaining families, with and more closely related to Cerambycidae than to Chrysomelidae.

Images

Habitat

Occurs in virtually all terrestrial supporting vascular plants, from wetlands and riparian zones to arid grasslands, forests, and alpine meadows. Specific habitat associations vary by : predominantly in ( in wood, often on flowers); on herbaceous and woody foliage; associated with diverse plants including ferns and angiosperms.

Distribution

, with recorded on all continents except Antarctica. Highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Regional studies document significant faunas in Mongolia, the Irtysh River valley (Russia), Dobrogea (Romania), Heilongjiang Province (China), Japan, and Mexico.

Diet

at all . exhibit diverse feeding modes: internal feeders in seeds (), wood-borers (), leaf-miners (some , , Cerambycidae), root-feeders, and external foliage feeders (most Chrysomelidae). of many Cerambycidae feed on pollen, nectar, or bark; some Chrysomelidae feed on leaves, pollen, or not at all.

Life Cycle

(). laid on or in material. Larval development occurs within or upon host tissues—seeds, wood, leaves, or roots. typically occurs in situ or in soil. lifespan varies: many and have short-lived, non-feeding adults; adults often longer-lived and actively feeding.

Ecological Role

Major affecting , seed , and . () act as significant seed . Some serve as agents against . Larval wood-boring contributes to decomposition and creation for other organisms. Many species are economically important agricultural and forestry pests.

Human Relevance

Numerous are significant pests of agriculture and forestry. The () attacks Solanaceae . The damages vegetables and flowers. The Asian long-horned (Anoplophora glabripennis) is a destructive pest of trees. Several species are protected under European directives, including Rosalia alpina, Morimus asper funereus, and Cerambyx cerdo.

Similar Taxa

CurculionoideaBoth are cucujiform superfamilies with ; distinguished by Chrysomeloidea having the fourth tarsal reduced and hidden (shared with other Phytophaga) versus Curculionoidea having the distinctive with and different tarsal structure.
BuprestoideaBoth contain wood-boring and foliage-feeding with metallic coloration common; separated by Buprestoidea having short, , tarsal formula appearing 4-4-4 (actually 5-5-5 with reduced fourth ), and with distinctive flattened form and .