Diabrotica cristata

(Harris, 1836)

Black Diabrotica

Diabrotica cristata, commonly known as the black diabrotica, is a of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded in Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan) and the United States. The species is part of the economically significant Diabrotica, which includes several agricultural pests, though specific economic impacts of D. cristata itself are not well documented. Based on iNaturalist records, the species has been observed approximately 1,840 times.

Diabrotica cristata by (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Diabrotica cristata by Jmalik. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Diabrotica cristata (9250550063) by Sarah Zukoff from Kansas, USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Diabrotica cristata: //ˌdaɪəˈbrɒtɪkə krɪˈsteɪtə//

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Distribution

North America. Documented records from Canada include Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Distribution in the United States is implied by North American presence but specific states are not detailed in available sources.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The specific epithet 'cristata' refers to a crested or tufted appearance, though the exact morphological basis for this name is not detailed in available sources. The was described by Harris in 1836.

Genus Context

Diabrotica cristata belongs to a notorious for containing major agricultural pests, including the spotted cucumber beetle (D. undecimpunctata) and western corn rootworm (D. virgifera). However, available sources do not indicate that D. cristata shares the pest characteristics of these congenerics.