Neochlamisus chamaedaphnes
(W.J.Brown, 1943)
Neochlamisus chamaedaphnes is a case-bearing in the tribe Chlamisini, commonly known as warty leaf beetles. Members of this are renowned for their remarkable - —when disturbed, they retract their , legs, and into precisely matched grooves, becoming nearly indistinguishable from droppings. The epithet references its association with leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), a bog in the Ericaceae . This species occurs in eastern Canada and presumably adjacent northeastern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Neochlamisus chamaedaphnes: //niːoʊˈklæmɪsəs kæməˈdæfniːz//
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Distribution
Eastern Canada: recorded from Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Québec. The specific epithet and known suggest association with wetland or bog where leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) occurs.
Host Associations
- Chamaedaphne calyculata - Inferred from specific epithet; leatherleaf is the presumed primary .
Similar Taxa
- Neochlamisus plataniBright coppery coloration distinguishes N. platani (associated with sycamore) from other ; N. chamaedaphnes likely exhibits more subdued coloration matching typical of the .
- Neochlamisus bebbianaAnother congeneric case-bearing ; separation requires examination of association and subtle morphological differences.
- Exema spp.Smaller congeneric warty (2–3 mm vs. 3–4 mm in Neochlamisus) with similar - but associated with different plants, particularly Asteraceae.