Ravenous Leaf Beetles

Orsodacnidae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Orsodacnidae: /ˌɔːr.soʊˈdæk.nəˌdaɪ/

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

Images

Orsodacne atra by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Musée entomologique illustré (6008709666) by Bisson-Cottard (Firm); Depuiset, A.; Fischbach, Gustave; Poteau, J.; Quartley, J.; Rothschild, J.; Specht, Friedrich; Vizetelly, Henry. Used under a Public domain license.
Image from page 320 of "Calwers Käferbuch; einfürhrung in die kenntnis der käfer Europas" (1916) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

The Orsodacnidae is a small family of leaf beetles containing four species in three genera, recognized for their unique morphological characteristics and distribution across various habitats in the Holarctic and Neotropical regions.

Physical Characteristics

All tibiae with 2 apical spurs, front of head without X-shaped grooves, head lacking temples, evenly narrowed from behind eyes to neck; apex of mandible unidentate or bidentate, mesonotum without stridulatory file. Pronotum without sensorial setae.

Identification Tips

Front of head lacks grooves, tibiae have distinct spurs, and mandibles can have one or two teeth.

Habitat

Primarily found in leaf-litter, grasses, and other vegetation; some genera have Neotropical distributions ranging into the southwestern US.

Distribution

Holarctic for the genus Orsodacne, Neotropical for the other two genera, found from Texas to California in the US.

Diet

Feeding primarily on plant material, typical of leaf beetles.

Life Cycle

Specific life cycle details are not provided, generally follows that of beetles with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Details on reproductive behaviors are not specified, but typically involves oviposition on host plants.

Predators

Details regarding specific predators are not provided, but like many beetles, they may have avian or insect predators.

Ecosystem Role

Contribute to the decomposition and nutrient cycling as herbivores on plant material.

Collecting Methods

  • Hand collecting by searching vegetation
  • Using nets in areas where they are abundant

Preservation Methods

  • Drying specimens
  • Fixation in ethanol

Evolution

Previously classified within Chrysomelidae, demonstrating evolutionary diversity in the Chrysomeloidea superfamily.

Similar Taxa

Tags

  • Orsodacnidae
  • leaf beetles
  • Coleoptera
  • Chrysomeloidea