Trachymela

Weise, 1908

leaf beetles

Species Guides

1

Trachymela is a of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) comprising over 120 . Members are characterized by brown to black coloration and bearing verrucae (bumps) without . The genus is native to Australia and New Guinea, with at least one species, T. sloanei, established as an pest in multiple regions including Europe, North America, New Zealand, and most recently Algeria (2025). Several species feed on Myrtaceae, particularly Eucalyptus.

Trachymela by (c) redrovertracy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by redrovertracy. Used under a CC-BY license.Trachymela by no rights reserved, uploaded by Theo Summer. Used under a CC0 license.Trachymela sloanei by Jon Sullivan. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Trachymela: //ˌtræ.kəˈmiː.lə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Chrysomelinae by with verrucae (wart-like bumps) and absence of (longitudinal grooves). Body coloration typically brown or black. The genus Chondromela was synonymized with Trachymela by Daccordi in 1994, now treated as a subgenus.

Images

Habitat

Native range: associated with Myrtaceae vegetation including Eucalyptus, Angophora, and Leptospermum. of T. sloanei occur in urban and plantation settings with ornamental or commercial Eucalyptus.

Distribution

Native to Australia (all states) and New Guinea. Introduced range includes: Algeria (first African record, 2025), Iberian Peninsula, Greece, Spain, New Zealand, and California (USA).

Diet

Feeding documented on Myrtaceae: Eucalyptus spp., Angophora, Leptospermum. T. sloanei specifically observed defoliating Eucalyptus camaldulensis.

Host Associations

  • Eucalyptus camaldulensis - food plantConfirmed for T. sloanei in Algeria
  • Eucalyptus spp. - food plantPrimary for T. sloanei; genus-level association for Trachymela
  • Angophora - food plant-level association
  • Leptospermum - food plant-level association

Ecological Role

Herbivore of Myrtaceae; T. sloanei recognized as defoliator pest of Eucalyptus plantations and urban greenery. Potential risk to Mediterranean region Eucalyptus plantings.

Human Relevance

T. sloanei is an emerging pest of Eucalyptus in Europe, North America, North Africa, and New Zealand. Causes characteristic foliar damage and feeding traces. Surveillance recommended for Eucalyptus-associated pests in Mediterranean regions.

Sources and further reading