Cryptocephalini

Larvae distinguished by self-constructed portable cases; adults generally small to medium leaf beetles with compact bodies. Distinguished from related tribes by combination of adult morphology and larval case-bearing behavior characteristic of Camptosomata.

Arctic tundra, taiga, European nemoral forests, Mediterranean evergreen forests, steppe, and desert regions including the Irano-Turanian zone. Larvae develop in leaf litter.

Primarily Palaearctic: North Africa (79 species), Asia (666 species), Europe (214 species). Western Palaearctic holds 723 species; Eastern Palaearctic holds 479 species. Highest diversity in Sethian desert region and Mediterranean subregion of Hesperian zone. Most species-rich countries: China (289), Russia (166), France (143), Italy (142). Nepal shows highest endemism (34%); Kazakhstan has most endemic species (27).

Adults feed on annual herbs, trees, or flowers. Larvae consume leaf litter.

Larvae construct and carry self-made protective cases (case-bearing behavior, Camptosomata).

Some species are myrmecophilous, living in association with ants. Larval case-bearing provides protection during development.

• PachybrachiniAlso in Cryptocephalinae with case-bearing larvae; distinguished by different adult morphological characters and often less arid-adapted distributions
• ClytriniAnother Camptosomata tribe with case-bearing larvae; adults differ in body form and antennal structure

• Coleoptera
• Chrysomelidae
• Camptosomata
• case-bearing beetles
• Palaearctic
• myrmecophily
• leaf litter
• desert fauna
• Mediterranean fauna

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Diversity and distribution of the Palaearctic Cryptocephalini and Pachybrachini (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)