Luperini

Gistel, 1848

Tribe Guides

2

Luperini is a tribe of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) within the large Galerucinae, containing approximately 5800 . The tribe includes economically significant such as Diabrotica, Acalymma, and Aulacophora, many of which are associated with cucurbit plants. Members exhibit specialized chemical involving detection of cucurbitacins, bitter triterpenoid compounds that serve as for host location.

Synetocephalus autumnalis by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.Androlyperus fulvus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Scott Loarie. Used under a CC0 license.Androlyperus fulvus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Scott Loarie. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Luperini: /luˈpɛrɪni/

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

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Diet

Many within Luperini feed on leaves of Cucurbitaceae; Aulacophora species detect sub-microgram quantities of cucurbitacins on silica gel and exhibit leaf feeding correlated with varietal preference.

Host Associations

  • Cucurbitaceae - primary plants for many including Diabrotica, Acalymma, and AulacophoraFlowering stage and flower abundance of cucurbits determine insect abundance and

Behavior

of Aulacophora are attracted to yellow colored traps and squash blossoms; activity correlates with varietal preference in plants.

Human Relevance

Several within Luperini contain major agricultural pests; Diabrotica and Acalymma are significant pests of cucurbit crops, with larval root feeding and foliar damage causing economic losses.

Similar Taxa

  • AlticiniBoth are tribes within Galerucinae; Alticini (flea beetles) are distinguished by enlarged hind enabling jumping locomotion, whereas Luperini lack this modification.

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