Stenopodius lateralis
(Schaeffer, 1933)
Lateral Tortoise Beetle
Stenopodius lateralis is a leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae, originally described as Brachycoryna lateralis by Schaeffer in 1933. It occurs across western North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico. have been documented on Sphaeralcea (globemallows), though whether these represent true plants remains unclear.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Stenopodius lateralis: /stɛnoʊˈpoʊdiəs lætəˈreɪlɪs/
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Identification
As a member of the Cassidinae (tortoise beetles), this likely exhibits the characteristic flattened, often tortoise-shell-like body form typical of the group. Specific diagnostic features distinguishing it from are not documented in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Associated with dry, open where plants in the Sphaeralcea occur. Collection records span varied western North American environments including grasslands, sagebrush steppe, and desert scrub.
Distribution
North America: Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan), United States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming), and Mexico (Baja California). Also recorded from Central America.
Host Associations
- Sphaeralcea ambigua - collected on observed on this plant
- Sphaeralcea emoryi - collected on observed on this plant
- Sphaeralcea orcuttii - collected on observed on this plant
Similar Taxa
- Other Stenopodius species share the same and likely similar ; specific distinguishing characters require examination of or original descriptions
More Details
Nomenclatural history
Originally described under the Brachycoryna; transferred to Stenopodius at a later date.
Host plant uncertainty
The source explicitly states 'The food plant is unknown' despite collection records from three Sphaeralcea . These observations may represent casual occurrence rather than true feeding relationships.