Phyllobrotica limbata
(Fabricius, 1801)
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Phyllobrotica limbata is a of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae. It is the most frequently encountered species of Phyllobrotica in Missouri, where 61 specimens have been recorded from six widely scattered counties. The species is associated with plants in the Scutellaria (Lamiaceae), particularly S. ovata and S. lateriflora.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllobrotica limbata: /fɪˌloʊˈbrɒtɪkə lɪmˈbeɪtə/
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Identification
Phyllobrotica limbata can be distinguished from other Phyllobrotica by its more regular occurrence in Missouri compared to the rare P. circumdata, P. lengi, and P. nigritarsis. It differs from P. physostegiae, which inhabits dry prairie and feeds on Physostegia rather than Scutellaria.
Images
Habitat
Wet bottomlands where plants in the Scutellaria occur.
Distribution
North America. Recorded from New Brunswick, Ontario, and Québec in Canada, and widely scattered counties in Missouri, USA.
Diet
Feeds on leaves of Scutellaria ovata and Scutellaria lateriflora (Lamiaceae).
Host Associations
- Scutellaria ovata - primary observed in Missouri
- Scutellaria lateriflora - primary observed in Missouri
Similar Taxa
- Phyllobrotica physostegiaeAlso occurs in Missouri, but inhabits dry prairie rather than wet bottomlands and feeds on Physostegia instead of Scutellaria
- Phyllobrotica circumdataMuch rarer in Missouri; first collected in the state in the late 1970s
- Phyllobrotica lengiMuch rarer in Missouri; known from only four specimens collected in the late 1800s until 1988
- Phyllobrotica nigritarsisMuch rarer in Missouri; known from only four specimens collected in the late 1800s until 1987