Chrysomelidae
Guides
Plagiodera
willow leaf beetles
Plagiodera is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, containing approximately six recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus is best known for Plagiodera versicolora, commonly called the imported willow leaf beetle, which has been introduced to North America from Europe and is a significant pest of willow and poplar species. Members of this genus are specialized herbivores of Salicaceae, with well-documented chemical ecology and host-plant interactions.
Plagiodera californica
California Willow Leaf Beetle
Plagiodera californica is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is known from North America and has been observed on willow hosts. The species is part of a genus containing other leaf beetles associated with Salicaceae.
Plateumarini
Plateumarini is a tribe of leaf beetles within the subfamily Donaciinae, established by Böving in 1922. Members of this tribe are aquatic or semi-aquatic beetles associated with freshwater habitats. The tribe is distinguished from the related tribe Donaciini by morphological features of the larval stage, particularly in the structure of the respiratory siphon. Plateumarini contains the genus Plateumaris, which is the primary genus in this group.
Plateumaris diversa
Plateumaris diversa is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Donaciinae. The species was described by C. Schaeffer in 1925. It is one of numerous Plateumaris species associated with wetland habitats, particularly those supporting emergent vegetation. Records indicate presence in central and eastern Canada, with observations from Manitoba, Ontario, and Québec.
Plateumaris dubia
long-horned leaf beetle, Dubious spade beetle
Plateumaris dubia is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America, with records from western Canada and Alaska. The species is commonly known as the long-horned leaf beetle or the dubious spade beetle. Like other members of the genus Plateumaris, it is associated with wetland habitats.
Plateumaris flavipes
Flavous-footed reed beetle
Plateumaris flavipes is a leaf beetle in the subfamily Donaciinae, commonly known as reed beetles. Members of this subfamily are semi-aquatic, typically associated with emergent vegetation in freshwater habitats. The species is recorded from western and northern North America, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Labrador in Canada. Available sources provide limited specific ecological detail for this species.
Plateumaris germari
Germar's reed beetle
Plateumaris germari is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Donaciinae. It occurs in western North America, with records extending from western Canada through the western United States. The species is associated with wetland and riparian habitats where emergent vegetation provides food and substrate for larval development. Like other members of the genus, it is believed to complete its life cycle in close association with aquatic or semi-aquatic plants.
Plateumaris metallica
Metallic reed beetle
Plateumaris metallica is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, known by the common name Metallic reed beetle. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and the United States. As a member of the genus Plateumaris, it is associated with wetland habitats and aquatic vegetation.
Plateumaris nitida
Lustrous reed beetle
Plateumaris nitida is an aquatic leaf beetle in the subfamily Donaciinae, commonly known as the Lustrous reed beetle. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador) and the United States. As a member of the Donaciinae, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, particularly wetlands with emergent vegetation.
Plateumaris pusilla
Little reed beetle
Plateumaris pusilla is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is known from North America, with records from Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Labrador. As a member of the subfamily Donaciinae, it is associated with wetland habitats. The species is commonly referred to as the Little reed beetle.
Plateumaris shoemakeri
Shoemaker's reed beetle
Plateumaris shoemakeri is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from western Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The species is commonly known as Shoemaker's reed beetle. As a member of the genus Plateumaris, it is associated with wetland and aquatic habitats.
Poecilocera harrisii
Poecilocera harrisii is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The genus Poecilocera is a small group within the leaf beetles, and this species represents one of the few documented members. Records indicate presence in North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Prasocuris phellandrii
Prasocuris phellandrii is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Linnaeus in 1758. It occurs across the Palearctic region, with documented presence in Europe, northern Asia, and North America. The species has been studied in Moravia, Czech Republic, indicating ongoing faunistic research interest.
Promecosoma arizonae
Promecosoma arizonae is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. The species was described by Crotch in 1873. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Pseudochlamys
Pseudochlamys is a genus of warty leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The genus contains at least one described species, P. semirufescens, and is known from Colombia. Detailed natural history information exists for P. megalostomoides, revealing a complex life cycle involving fecal shelter construction, four larval instars, and host-specific feeding on Waltheria plants.
Pseudodibolia
Pseudodibolia is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Jacoby in 1891. The genus contains four described species distributed across North America and the Neotropics. Two species, P. opima and P. picea, are documented in taxonomic literature. As with other flea beetles, members of this genus possess enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Pseudodibolia opima
Pseudodibolia opima is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1878. It belongs to a genus of small chrysomelid beetles native to North America. Very little specific information has been published regarding its biology, habitat preferences, or ecological role. The species is known from only a handful of documented observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or undercollection due to its small size and inconspicuous habits.
Pseudohadrotoma graeseri
Pseudohadrotoma graeseri is a flea beetle species in the tribe Alticini, characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The genus Pseudohadrotoma contains few described species and is poorly documented in scientific literature. This species appears to be rarely collected and has limited published records.
Pseudolampsis
Pseudolampsis is a genus of flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticini) established by G.H. Horn in 1889. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision regarding distribution patterns and synonymy. The most studied species, Pseudolampsis guttata, has been evaluated as a biological control agent for invasive aquatic ferns.
Pseudolampsis guttata
Waterfern Flea Beetle
A flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, evaluated as a potential biological control agent for the invasive aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides (red water fern) in South Africa. Laboratory host range testing has been conducted to assess its feeding specificity and suitability for introduction as a natural enemy.
Pseudorthygia
Pseudorthygia is a genus of flea beetles (family Chrysomelidae) containing two described species, both found in Mexico. The genus was established by Csiki in 1940. Both species were originally described by Jacoby in 1891 and later transferred to this genus.
Psylliodes
flea beetles
Psylliodes is a large cosmopolitan genus of flea beetles comprising approximately 200 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping, a trait shared with other Alticini. Approximately half of all species are specialized feeders on Brassicaceae, with the remainder associated with roughly 24 other plant families. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, including the cabbage stem flea beetle (P. chrysocephala) and potato flea beetle (P. affinis). The genus includes rare endemic species such as the Lundy Cabbage Flea Beetle (P. luridipennis), a globally Critically Endangered species restricted to a single island off the coast of England.
Psylliodes affinis
Potato Flea Beetle
Psylliodes affinis, commonly known as the potato flea beetle, is a flea beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. As a member of the genus Psylliodes, it shares the characteristic jumping ability that gives flea beetles their common name.
Psylliodes chalcomera
flea beetle
Psylliodes chalcomera is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to Europe and investigated as a biological control agent for invasive musk thistle (Carduus nutans). Field trials in Italy demonstrated high host specificity, with no feeding or oviposition on Cirsium species or economic crops under free-choice conditions. The species has been evaluated for introduction to North America to manage musk thistle infestations.
Psylliodes convexior
hop flea beetle
Psylliodes convexior, commonly known as the hop flea beetle, is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and Central America. The species belongs to a genus known for flea-like jumping behavior and association with host plants. Specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published sources.
Psylliodes credens
Psylliodes credens is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Fall in 1933. It is known from North America and belongs to a genus characterized by enlarged hind femora that enable jumping locomotion. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits the flea-like jumping behavior that gives the group its common name. The species has received limited study and detailed ecological information remains sparse.
Psylliodes napi
turnip flea beetle, cabbage-stem flea beetle
Psylliodes napi is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, widely distributed across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is associated with brassicaceous host plants and is recognized as an agricultural pest of turnip and related crops. Two subspecies are recognized: P. n. napi and P. n. flavicornis.
Psylliodes punctulata
Psylliodes punctulata is a species of flea beetle in the tribe Alticini, characterized by the enlarged hind femora that enable the jumping behavior typical of this group. The genus Psylliodes contains numerous species associated with brassicaceous host plants, though specific ecological details for P. punctulata remain poorly documented in available literature. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits the larval stem-mining habit and adult folivory that define Psylliodes ecology. The species name 'punctulata' refers to the punctate or dotted surface sculpturing typical of many chrysomelid beetles.
Pteleon
Pteleon is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Jacoby in 1888. The genus contains at least three described species. Like other Chrysomelidae, these beetles are associated with vegetation and are likely herbivorous, though specific details for this genus are limited in available literature.
Pteleon brevicornis
Orange Stout-horned Luperine
Pteleon brevicornis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America and northwestern Mexico. The species is known from scattered records across its range, with 132 observations documented on iNaturalist. It is commonly referred to as the Orange Stout-horned Luperine.
Punctaltica
Punctaltica is a newly described genus of flightless flea beetles discovered in urban parks of Shenzhen, China. The genus currently contains two species: P. shenzhenensis and P. montana. These beetles are highly specialized to moist moss microhabitats in heavily urbanized environments, representing an unexpected discovery of genus-level diversity in a megacity setting.
Pyrrhalta viburni
Viburnum leaf beetle
Pyrrhalta viburni, the viburnum leaf beetle, is a Eurasian leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae) that has become a significant invasive pest in North America. Native to Europe and Asia, it was first detected in Canada in 1947 and spread to the northeastern United States by 1996. The beetle is a specialist herbivore of Viburnum shrubs, with both larvae and adults feeding on foliage. Severe infestations can completely defoliate host plants, leading to plant decline or death. The species exhibits distinctive aggregative oviposition behavior, with females preferentially laying eggs on twigs already containing conspecific egg masses.
Rhabdopterus
Rhabdopterus is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae, containing approximately 70 described species distributed across North and South America. Eight species occur north of Mexico, though Nearctic species may not be congeneric with the South American type species. The genus belongs to the family Chrysomelidae, a large group of herbivorous beetles commonly known as leaf beetles. Some species, such as Rhabdopterus jansoni, are significant herbivores in agricultural systems, particularly coffee plantations.
Rhabdopterus bottimeri
Rhabdopterus bottimeri is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It was described by Barber in 1946 and is native to North and Middle America. The genus Rhabdopterus comprises small to medium-sized leaf beetles, many of which are associated with particular host plants. This species is poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Rhabdopterus picipes
Cranberry Rootworm
Rhabdopterus picipes, commonly known as the cranberry rootworm, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. This species is native to North America and is associated with cranberry cultivation, where its larval feeding on roots can cause economic damage. The specific epithet 'picipes' refers to the dark, pitch-black coloration of the legs. Despite its common name, detailed biological information remains sparse in published literature.
Rhabdopterus praetextus
Rhabdopterus praetextus is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is distributed across North America, with confirmed records in Canada (Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Québec) and the United States. As a member of the leaf beetle family, it is presumed to be herbivorous, though specific host plants have not been documented in available sources.
Saxinis
case-bearing leaf beetles
Saxinis is a genus of case-bearing leaf beetles (family Chrysomelidae) established by Lacordaire in 1848. The genus comprises at least 10 described species distributed primarily in North America. These beetles are characterized by their hardened forewings (elytra) that form a protective case over the abdomen. Members of this genus are part of the diverse leaf beetle fauna of the Americas.
Saxinis knausii
Saxinis knausii is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1906. The species is recorded from North America. Like other members of the genus Saxinis, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles characterized by larvae that construct portable cases from fecal material and plant debris.
Saxinis omogera
Saxinis omogera is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Lacordaire in 1848. It belongs to the genus Saxinis, a group of case-bearing leaf beetles. The species occurs in both Central America and North America. Relatively few observations exist, with iNaturalist recording approximately 35 sightings. The taxonomic status is marked as doubtful in some databases, indicating potential need for further verification.
Saxinis saucia bisignata
Saxinis saucia bisignata is a subspecies of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed in North America and Middle America. As a member of the subfamily Criocerinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as asparagus beetles and their relatives. Very little specific information is documented about this particular subspecies.
Saxinis saucia immaculata
A subspecies of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Moldenke in 1970. As a member of the genus Saxinis, it belongs to a group of case-bearing leaf beetles. The subspecies epithet "immaculata" suggests a lack of spots or markings compared to the nominate form. Distribution records indicate presence in Middle America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Saxinis sonorensis
Saxinis sonorensis is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Jacoby in 1889. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with two recognized subspecies: S. s. scutellaris (Schaeffer, 1906) and S. s. sonorensis (Jacoby, 1889). As a member of the case-bearing leaf beetles, larvae construct protective cases from fecal material and plant debris.
Scelida
Scelida is a genus of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Chapuis in 1875. The genus comprises at least four described species distributed across North America and the Neotropics. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Galerucinae and tribe Luperini. As skeletonizing leaf beetles, they are presumed to feed on leaf tissue between leaf veins.
Scelolyperus
Scelolyperus is a genus of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Crotch in 1874. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed across North America, Mexico, and the Palaearctic region. Members are characterized as skeletonizing leaf beetles, a feeding guild that consumes leaf tissue between veins. The genus has been documented in at least 826 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate levels of public documentation.
Scelolyperus lecontii
Scelolyperus lecontii is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It belongs to a genus of flea beetles, characterized by their enlarged hind femora that enable jumping. The species is native to North America, with confirmed records from western Canada and the United States.
Scelolyperus liriophilus
Scelolyperus liriophilus is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Wilcox in 1965. The species belongs to the tribe Luperini within the subfamily Galerucinae. It is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Scelolyperus smaragdinus
Emerald Skeletonizing Leaf Beetle
Scelolyperus smaragdinus is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is found in North America and belongs to a genus of leaf-feeding beetles that characteristically skeletonize plant foliage by feeding on the tissue between leaf veins. The specific epithet "smaragdinus" refers to its emerald green coloration.
Sennius abbreviatus
Short-spotted Sennius
Sennius abbreviatus is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is commonly known as the Short-spotted Sennius. The species occurs in North America and is documented through limited observational records.
Sennius discolor
Sennius discolor is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Horn in 1873. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Information regarding its biology, host plants, and specific habitat preferences remains limited in published literature.
Sennius morosus
Sennius morosus is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records from Colombia, including the departments of Cundinamarca and Cauca. The species was described by Sharp in 1885. As a member of the genus Sennius, it belongs to a group of bruchine seed beetles associated with leguminous host plants.