Phyllobrotica
Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
skeletonizing leaf beetles, flea beetles
Species Guides
11- Phyllobrotica circumdata(skeletonizing leaf beetle)
- Phyllobrotica costipennis(skeletonizing leaf beetle)
- Phyllobrotica decorata
- Phyllobrotica lengi
- Phyllobrotica limbata(skeletonizing leaf beetle)
- Phyllobrotica nigripes
- Phyllobrotica nigritarsis
- Phyllobrotica physostegiae
- Phyllobrotica sequoiensis
Phyllobrotica is a of leaf beetles in the Chrysomelidae, containing at least 18 described in North America. Members are small, often brightly colored beetles known as skeletonizing leaf beetles and flea beetles. Most North American species are extreme , feeding almost exclusively on plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae), particularly genera Scutellaria and Stachys. One species, P. physostegiae, has been documented on Physostegia, representing an unusual host transfer to a related mint family genus in dry prairie .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllobrotica: /fɪˌloʊˈbroʊtɪkə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
North America (primary), with some also recorded from China, Mongolia, Russia, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Caucasus, and Europe. In the United States, species occur across the eastern, central, and western regions.
Diet
Phytophagous; North American feed almost exclusively on Lamiaceae (mint ), primarily Scutellaria and Stachys. P. signata in Asia is a documented pest of Artemisia.
Host Associations
- Scutellaria - primary most North American
- Stachys - primary most western U.S.
- Physostegia - P. physostegiae only
- Artemisia - P. signata in Asia only
Ecological Role
Herbivore; some are agricultural pests. P. signata is reported as a main pest of Artemisia affecting plant growth and yield.
Human Relevance
P. signata is an agricultural pest of Artemisia crops in Asia. Most North American are too rare or specialized to be economically significant.