Deloyala
Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
mottled tortoise beetle (D. guttata)
Species Guides
3- Deloyala barberi
- Deloyala guttata(Mottled Tortoise Beetle)
- Deloyala lecontii
Deloyala is a of tortoise beetles in the Chrysomelidae, containing approximately 10 described . The genus is characterized by the distinctive domed, tortoise-like body form typical of the Cassidinae. The best-known species is Deloyala guttata, commonly called the mottled tortoise beetle, which has been studied extensively for its plant relationships and behavioral plasticity. Species in this genus are associated with plants in the family Convolvulaceae, particularly morning glories (Ipomoea) and bindweeds.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Deloyala: //dɛloʊˈjaɪələ//
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Images
Distribution
Distribution records exist for Denmark and the United States (Vermont). Specific range boundaries for the as a whole are not well documented.
Diet
Herbivorous; feeds on plants in Convolvulaceae, including Ipomoea and Calystegia sepium (hedge bindweed).
Host Associations
- Ipomoea - plantmorning glories
- Calystegia sepium - planthedge bindweed
- Convolvulus arvensis - potential field bindweed; mentioned in context of related biocontrol
Ecological Role
Herbivore; potential biocontrol agent for weedy Convolvulaceae based on specialization patterns observed in related .
Similar Taxa
- ChelymorphaBoth are tortoise beetles in Cassidinae with similar domed body form and association with Convolvulaceae plants; Chelymorpha are generally larger
- JonthonotaAnother North American tortoise beetle associated with morning glories; Jonthonota nigripes mentioned as occurring sympatrically with D. guttata
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- A tortoise beetle gift | Beetles In The Bush
- Tradeoffs in Performance on Different Hosts: Evidence from Within- and Between-Site Variation in the Beetle Deloyala guttata
- TRADEOFFS IN PERFORMANCE ON DIFFERENT HOSTS: EVIDENCE FROM WITHIN‐ AND BETWEEN‐SITE VARIATION IN THE BEETLE DELOYALA GUTTATA
- Conditioning and genetic variation as causes of individual variation in the oviposition behaviour of the tortoise beetle, Deloyala guttata