Colaspis

Fabricius, 1801

Species Guides

22

Colaspis is a large of leaf beetles in the Eumolpinae, containing over 200 distributed across North and South America. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, such as the grape colaspis (Colaspis brunnea), which damages crop roots and foliage. Several species have been documented from Eocene fossil deposits in Colorado, USA. Taxonomic history of the genus has been complicated by nomenclatural disputes, particularly regarding the synonymy of Maecolaspis.

Colaspis costipennis by (c) Raven Dandridge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Raven Dandridge. Used under a CC-BY license.Colaspis costipennis by (c) geosesarma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by geosesarma. Used under a CC-BY license.Colaspis nigrocyanea by (c) CK2AZ, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by CK2AZ. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colaspis: //koʊˈlæspɪs//

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Identification

Colaspis are Eumolpinae leaf beetles with over 200 described species; precise morphological diagnostic characters for the require examination of specific species descriptions. The genus has been historically confused with Metaxyonycha due to type species designation errors. Several species groups were split into separate genera by Bechyné (Allocolaspis, Callicolaspis, Percolaspis, Nodocolaspis, Zenocolaspis), indicating that Colaspis as currently defined may represent a polyphyletic requiring further subdivision.

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Habitat

vary by : some occupy corn and soybean agroecosystems (e.g., C. crinicornis in the Great Plains), while others are associated with grapevine vineyards (e.g., C. caligula in Argentina). Larval stages are soil-dwelling; occur in crop fields during growing seasons.

Distribution

North and South America. Specific records include: United States (Great Plains region, southeastern Nebraska, Vermont, Eocene fossil deposits in Colorado), Argentina (Mendoza region), and Colombia (Antioquia, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Huila, Magdalena, Tolima, Meta, Valle del Cauca departments).

Seasonality

of C. crinicornis have been recorded in crop fields from June through August in southeastern Nebraska, with low densities outside crop . Seasonality for other not documented in available sources.

Diet

Phytophagous; feeding habits vary by and life stage. of C. crinicornis feed on corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) leaves; larvae feed on below-ground plant portions including corn roots. C. caligula is associated with Vitis vinifera (grapevine) crops. Some species are and can utilize tissues from different plant .

Host Associations

  • Zea mays - and larval feeding; C. crinicornis
  • Glycine max - feeding; C. crinicornis and C. brunnea (grape colaspis)
  • Vitis vinifera - C. caligula in Argentina
  • Triticum aestivum - C. crinicornis
  • Trifolium pratense - C. crinicornis
  • Medicago sativa - C. crinicornis

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. In C. crinicornis: eggs deposited in soil clusters; larvae and pupae are soil-dwelling; majority of spent in larval stage; occurs as larvae; adults emerge from soil with upward movement . Egg, pupal, and adult stages are relatively short. Eggs are sensitive to desiccation and adhere to each other.

Behavior

of C. crinicornis exhibit upward movement from soil level after , similar to Diabrotica . Females deposit clusters in soil with variously sized clumps rather than compacted smooth soil. Larvae have difficulty moving in loose substrate.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest in crop production systems, particularly corn, soybean, and grapevine. densities of some have increased in agroecosystems. Early-season pest in southern U.S. soybean production, contributing to pest pressure that influences for applications.

Human Relevance

Several are economically significant crop pests. The grape colaspis (Colaspis brunnea) is a notable pest of soybeans and other crops. Neonicotinoid are widely used to control early-season Colaspis in southern U.S. soybean production, with documented yield benefits in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Four extinct species are known from Eocene deposits in Colorado, contributing to understanding of leaf beetle paleodiversity.

Similar Taxa

  • MetaxyonychaHistorically synonymized with Colaspis due to shared type (Chrysomela flavicornis); separated by Brown in 1961
  • MaecolaspisJunior synonym of Colaspis; created by Bechyné in 1950 based on erroneous type designation, but still used in some Neotropical publications
  • Allocolaspis, Callicolaspis, Percolaspis, Nodocolaspis, Zenocolaspis split from Colaspis by Bechyné; some previously placed in Colaspis now assigned to these

More Details

Taxonomic Complexity

The has a complicated taxonomic history involving disputes between Jan Bechyné, who created the synonym Maecolaspis and split several new genera, and Doris Holmes Blake, who continued to use Colaspis. This created dual nomenclatural systems that have confused Neotropical Eumolpinae studies. The genus requires further subdivision.

Fossil Record

Four extinct are known from Eocene deposits in Colorado, USA: C. aetatis, C. diluvialis, C. luti, and C. proserpina.

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