Oulema

Des Gozis, 1886

Cereal leaf beetles

Species Guides

Oulema is a of leaf beetles in the Chrysomelidae, Criocerinae. The genus contains approximately 100 distributed primarily in temperate to tropical regions. Several species are economically important agricultural pests, most notably (), which has been introduced to North America and causes significant damage to wheat and other small grain crops. The genus can be distinguished from the closely related Lema by pronotum shape and the converging angle of frontal grooves.

Oulema variabilis by (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC-BY license.

Oulema collaris by (c) Diogo Luiz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Diogo Luiz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oulema: /aʊˈlɛma/

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

Identification

Distinguished from the closely related Lema by pronotum shape and the converging angle of frontal grooves. numbers for examined range from n = 8 to 10.

Images

Distribution

Primarily distributed in temperate to tropical areas. Specific distribution varies by : is native to Eurasia, introduced to North America, and present across much of the northern hemisphere.

Host Associations

Gramineae - including wheat and other small grains (O. melanopus); rice (O. oryzae)
Amaranthaceae - attributed to R.E. White personal communication
Commelinaceae - attributed to R.E. White personal communication
Compositae - attributed to R.E. White personal communication
Cyperaceae - attributed to R.E. White personal communication
Leguminosae - attributed to R.E. White personal communication
Rosaceae - attributed to R.E. White personal communication
Solanaceae - attributed to R.E. White personal communication

Human Relevance

Several are significant agricultural pests. () poses economic threat to small grain crops across much of the northern hemisphere. Pest management is challenging due to sporadic and unpredictable patterns. Subject of programs incorporating , , and application.

Similar Taxa

LemaClosely related in Criocerinae; distinguished by pronotum shape and converging angle of frontal grooves

More Details

Economically Important Species

Most biological research focuses on three : (), O. oryzae (rice leaf beetle), and O. gallaeciana (often sympatric with O. melanopus in Europe). Information on other Oulema species is sparse.

Biological Control

of O. melanopus have been introduced from Europe to North America and show promise for control. Classical, conservation, and approaches are under development.