Lema nigrovittata
(Guérin-Méneville, 1844)
Lema nigrovittata is a leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae, first described by Guérin-Méneville in 1844. The is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the Lema, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles that includes species associated with nightshade family plants, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lema nigrovittata: //ˈlɛ.mə nɪˌɡroʊ.vɪˈtɑː.tə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Distribution
Central America and North America. Distribution records indicate presence in Middle America and North America, with specific countries and regions not detailed in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- Lema trilineata daturaphila (three-lined potato beetle)Similar with black and yellow striped patterning, but L. nigrovittata can be distinguished by its black longitudinal stripes (nigrovittata = black-striped) rather than three yellow stripes on a dark background.
- Lema daturaphilaClosely related congeneric with overlapping geographic range; specific distinguishing features require examination of elytral striping pattern and thoracic coloration.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The specific epithet 'nigrovittata' derives from Latin 'niger' (black) and 'vittatus' (striped), referring to the black longitudinal stripes characteristic of this .
Data limitations
Despite being described in 1844, L. nigrovittata remains poorly studied. Available sources provide only basic taxonomic and geographic information. The iNaturalist platform records only 5 observations, suggesting either genuine rarity or under-reporting due to identification challenges.