Phyllobrotica physostegiae
E.G. Riley, 1979
Phyllobrotica physostegiae is a of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae. It was formally described in 1979 based on specimens collected in southwestern Missouri, where it is now encountered reliably. The species is notable within its for its unusual association with Physostegia in the mint family, rather than the typical Scutellaria hosts used by most other Phyllobrotica species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllobrotica physostegiae: //ˌfɪloʊˈbrɒtɪkə ˌfaɪsəˈstiːdʒii//
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Identification
The can be distinguished from other Phyllobrotica by its association with Physostegia plants rather than Scutellaria. It inhabits dry prairie , which is unique within the as most other species occur in wet bottomlands. The specific morphological diagnostic features are not detailed in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Dry prairie in southwestern Missouri. Unlike most other Phyllobrotica , which inhabit wet bottomlands, this species has adapted to drier conditions.
Distribution
North America; specifically southwestern Missouri, where it was first described and is now reliably encountered.
Diet
and larvae feed on Physostegia (mint , Lamiaceae), making this one of the few Phyllobrotica species not associated with Scutellaria.
Host Associations
- Physostegia - plantUnusual for the ; most Phyllobrotica feed on Scutellaria
Behavior
The exhibits a shift that appears to be an to dry prairie , where Scutellaria species are less predictably available than the Physostegia.
Ecological Role
As a skeletonizing leaf beetle, it contributes to herbivory pressure on its plant Physostegia in prairie .
Similar Taxa
- Phyllobrotica limbataMost commonly encountered Missouri Phyllobrotica , but associated with Scutellaria ovata and S. lateriflora rather than Physostegia
- Phyllobrotica antennataPreviously confused with P. physostegiae; known only from the collected in Tennessee