Chrysomelidae
Guides
Trirhabda attenuata
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Trirhabda attenuata is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, distributed across North America. The species is one of several in the genus Trirhabda, which are known for their specialized feeding on particular host plants. Like congeners, it exhibits the characteristic skeletonizing feeding pattern of removing leaf tissue between veins. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1824.
Trirhabda bacharidis (Weber, 1801)
groundselbush beetle, groundsel bush leaf beetle
Trirhabda bacharidis is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is highly specialized to feed on Baccharis species (Asteraceae), with both adults and larvae consuming host plant foliage. The species has been documented in Australia, North America, and Southern Asia, and has been studied for its biological control potential.
Trirhabda borealis
Boreal Goldenrod Leaf Beetle
Trirhabda borealis is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is a specialist herbivore associated with goldenrod (Solidago) and has been studied for its movement behavior in fragmented versus continuous habitats. The species occurs in North America, with records from western Canada and the northern United States.
Trirhabda canadensis
goldenrod leaf beetle
Trirhabda canadensis, commonly known as the goldenrod leaf beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America and specializes in feeding on goldenrod species (Solidago). Outbreak populations can cause severe defoliation, removing 20-100% of leaf area from host plants. The species has been studied for its ecological impacts on plant communities and its interactions with other herbivores.
Trirhabda confusa
Trirhabda confusa is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Blake in 1931. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Trirhabda, it is known for feeding on leaf tissue in a characteristic skeletonizing pattern, consuming the soft mesophyll while leaving the veins intact.
Trirhabda convergens
Trirhabda convergens is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario) and the United States. The species belongs to a genus known for feeding on leaves in a skeletonizing pattern, consuming tissue between leaf veins while leaving the veins intact.
Trirhabda diducta
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Trirhabda diducta is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1893. The genus Trirhabda comprises approximately 26 North American species, most of which are associated with goldenrod (Solidago) and related Asteraceae hosts. Like congeners, T. diducta is expected to be a specialist herbivore with larvae that mine leaves and adults that skeletonize foliage. The species occurs across North America, though specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied relatives such as T. canadensis and T. virgata.
Trirhabda eriodictyonis
yerba santa beetle
Trirhabda eriodictyonis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is commonly known as the yerba santa beetle, reflecting its association with its host plant. The species is found in North America.
Trirhabda flavolimbata
Coyote Brush Leaf Beetle
Trirhabda flavolimbata, commonly called the coyote brush leaf beetle, is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is restricted to California where it inhabits coastal scrublands and chaparral. Both larvae and adults are metallic green and sequester toxins from their host plants, rendering them unpalatable to predators. The species has a single annual brood with a distinctive life cycle involving extended egg diapause.
Trirhabda geminata
Encelia Leaf Beetle
Trirhabda geminata is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the Encelia leaf beetle. It is a specialist herbivore strongly associated with brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and related Encelia species in the Asteraceae. The beetle is univoltine, with adults emerging in spring to feed, mate, and oviposit on host foliage. Larvae feed gregariously on leaves, passing through three instars before pupating in soil. The species is notable for accumulating hydroxylated anthraquinones (chrysophanol and chrysazin) through apparent de novo biosynthesis, as these compounds are absent from its host plant and retained rather than excreted.
Trirhabda manisi
Trirhabda manisi is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Hogue in 1971. Like other members of the genus Trirhabda, it is expected to feed on leaves of specific host plants, skeletonizing the tissue between the veins. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and distribution remain poorly documented. It is one of approximately 30 species in the genus Trirhabda, most of which are associated with Asteraceae host plants.
Trirhabda nitidicollis
Rabbitbrush Beetle, Rabbitbrush Leaf Beetle
Trirhabda nitidicollis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in western North America, where adults feed on rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa). The species is commonly encountered in pinyon-juniper woodland habitats during summer months.
Trirhabda pilosa
Trirhabda pilosa is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to North America. The species is a specialist herbivore of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) and has been extensively used in ecological research as a model organism to study plant-to-plant communication and induced plant resistance. Larvae demonstrate consistent behavioral avoidance of leaves exposed to damage cues, making them valuable for rapid bioassays of plant defensive responses.
Trirhabda pubicollis
Trirhabda pubicollis is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Blake in 1951. The species belongs to a genus known for feeding on Asteraceae host plants. It occurs in Central America and North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Trirhabda schwarzi
Trirhabda schwarzi is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a genus whose members are known for feeding on goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and related Asteraceae, though specific host associations for T. schwarzi have not been documented.
Trirhabda sericotrachyla
California sagebrush leaf beetle
Trirhabda sericotrachyla is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Blake in 1931. It is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia and California. The species is associated with California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) as a host plant, reflecting the genus-wide pattern of specialization on Asteraceae. Like other Trirhabda species, adults feed externally on leaves while larvae skeletonize foliage between the veins.
Trirhabda virgata
goldenrod beetle, goldenrod leaf beetle
Trirhabda virgata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the goldenrod beetle. It is native to North America and specializes on goldenrod plants (Solidago spp.) in the Asteraceae family. The species has been extensively studied for its host plant relationships, density-dependent dispersal behavior, and potential role as a keystone herbivore in old field ecosystems. Adults and larvae feed on goldenrod foliage, with larvae causing significant defoliation during outbreak conditions.
Tymnes oregonensis
Oregon Leaf Beetle
Tymnes oregonensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, tribe Alticini. It is native to western North America. The species was originally described by Crotch in 1873 and has been historically treated under the genus Phyllotreta as a synonym. Available records indicate presence in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba, with broader distribution across North America. Like other members of the Alticini, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Tymnes tricolor
Tymnes tricolor is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fabricius in 1792. The species is known from North America. It belongs to the genus Tymnes, which comprises leaf beetles. Beyond these basic taxonomic details, specific information about its biology, ecology, and appearance remains limited in available sources.
Urodera
Urodera is a genus of case-bearing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Lacordaire in 1848. The genus comprises nine described species distributed in the Americas, with most species described by Monros and others by Lacordaire, Jacoby, and Schaeffer. These beetles are characterized by their association with leaf case-bearing behavior, a trait shared with other members of their subfamily.
Xanthogaleruca luteola
elm leaf beetle
Xanthogaleruca luteola, the elm leaf beetle, is an invasive leaf beetle native to Europe that has become the most serious defoliator of elm trees in North America. Adults are yellow to olive-green with distinctive black lateral stripes and spots. Both adults and larvae feed on elm foliage, with larvae skeletonizing leaves by consuming soft tissue between veins. The species has multiple generations annually, with larvae overwintering in soil or bark crevices. Biological control using introduced parasitoids has reduced its pest status in many regions.
Xanthonia angulata
Xanthonia angulata is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 3.5–4 mm in length with uniformly medium brown elytra. The species was described by Staines and Weisman in 2001. Its specific epithet derives from the Latin angulatus, meaning 'with angles'. The beetle occurs in eastern and central North America and has been documented in association with oak trees (Quercus spp.).
Xanthonia decemnotata
ten-spotted leaf beetle
Xanthonia decemnotata is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the ten-spotted leaf beetle. It is native to eastern North America, with a range extending from the Canadian prairies to the northeastern United States. The species is characterized by its reddish-brown elytra marked with ten black spots. It is one of several species in the genus Xanthonia, which are generally associated with leaf-feeding habits on various plants.
Xanthonia dentata
Xanthonia dentata is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Staines and Weisman in 2002. The species is known from the southwestern United States, where it has been collected in association with oak trees. Adults measure 2.8–3.4 mm in length and display distinctive coloration useful for identification.
Xanthonia furcata
Xanthonia furcata is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Staines & Weisman in 2001. The species is found in the southern and eastern United States, with documented records from Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma. It is associated with wild cherry (Prunus spp.) and oaks (Quercus spp.) as host plants. The specific epithet 'furcata' derives from Latin 'furca,' meaning 'fork,' though the morphological feature this refers to is not explicitly described in available sources.
Xanthonia hirsuta
Small Juniper Xanthonian
Xanthonia hirsuta is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described in 2019. It belongs to the genus Xanthonia, which comprises small, often cryptically colored beetles associated with coniferous vegetation. The species epithet 'hirsuta' refers to the hairy or setose body surface. As a member of the Eumolpinae subfamily, it is likely associated with feeding on gymnosperm foliage, though specific host records remain limited.
Xanthonia nitida
Black Texas Xanthonian
Xanthonia nitida is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described in 2019. It is known from Texas and is recognized by its dark coloration. As a member of the genus Xanthonia, it belongs to a group of small leaf beetles that are often associated with vegetation in various habitats. The species is relatively recently described and appears to be uncommon, with limited observation records.
Xanthonia parva
Lacey Oak Xanthonia
Xanthonia parva is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described in 2019 from material collected in Texas. It is one of the smallest species in the genus Xanthonia and is associated with Quercus laceyi (Lacey oak). The species was distinguished from congeners based on morphological characters and represents part of ongoing taxonomic revision of North American Eumolpinae.
Xanthonia picturata
Common Texas Oak Xanthonia
Xanthonia picturata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described in 2019 from Texas. It is one of several recently described species in the genus Xanthonia, a group of small leaf beetles associated with oak trees. The species is relatively well-documented through citizen science observations, with over 100 records on iNaturalist. Its common name reflects its apparent association with oak habitats in Texas.
Xanthonia querci
Xanthonia querci is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described in 2019. The species epithet "querci" indicates an association with oaks (Quercus). As a member of the tribe Alticini, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles, enabling jumping locomotion. The genus Xanthonia contains multiple North American species, many of which are associated with woody host plants.
Xanthonia texana
Xanthonia texana is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It was described in 2019 from Texas, representing a relatively recent addition to the genus Xanthonia. The genus comprises small leaf beetles, many of which are associated with specific host plants. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Xanthonia vagans
Large Juniper Xanthonian
Xanthonia vagans is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is associated with juniper host plants and has a relatively large body size compared to congeners. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Xenochalepus ater
Xenochalepus ater is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America, with records from the United States (Arizona, Texas) and Mexico (Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos). The species has been recorded feeding on cultivated legumes including soybean (Glycine max) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Adults have also been collected on Robinia species, Rhamnus betulifolia, and Platanus wrightii.
Yingabruxia apicalis
Yingabruxia apicalis is a species of flea beetle (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) in the genus Yingabruxia. The genus Yingabruxia was established relatively recently in leaf beetle systematics. As a member of the Alticini, this species possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles that enable jumping locomotion. No specific ecological or biological studies have been published on this species.
Yingabruxia sordida
Yingabruxia sordida is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is known from western North America and Baja California, with records extending from British Columbia south to Texas. The species belongs to a genus of leaf-feeding beetles whose members skeletonize foliage by consuming leaf tissue between the veins.
Zabrotes arenarius
Zabrotes arenarius is a species of seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. The species was described by Wolcott in 1912. Like other members of the genus Zabrotes, this species is associated with legume seeds, though specific host records for Z. arenarius remain limited. The genus is primarily distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Zabrotes chavesi
Zabrotes chavesi is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Kingsolver in 1980. The species was named in honor of Franklin Chaves, director of Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica, which serves as its type locality. It is distributed across the Americas from northern South America through Central America to the southwestern United States.
Zygogramma
Zygogramma is a large genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, comprising approximately 100 species with 13 species occurring north of Mexico. The genus is characterized by its association with plants in the family Asteraceae, particularly ragweeds (Ambrosia) and related genera. Several species, especially Z. bicolorata, have been extensively studied and deployed as biological control agents against invasive weeds. The genus is distinguished from related genera such as Calligrapha by fused tarsal claws.
Zygogramma conjuncta
Zygogramma conjuncta is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Rogers in 1856. It belongs to a genus of leaf-feeding beetles distributed across the Americas, with several species known for their association with specific host plants. The species has been recorded from North America and Middle America, though its taxonomic status is marked as doubtful in some databases. Like other members of Zygogramma, it likely exhibits the typical dome-like body shape and patterned elytra characteristic of the genus.
Zygogramma conjuncta conjuncta
Zygogramma conjuncta conjuncta is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Chrysomelinae. The genus Zygogramma is distributed across North and South America, with several species recognized as specialist feeders on plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of this genus are characterized by fused tarsal claws, distinguishing them from related genera such as Calligrapha. The subspecies is found in Middle and North America, though specific ecological details for this subspecies are not well documented in available sources.
Zygogramma conjuncta pallida
Zygogramma conjuncta pallida is a subspecies of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to North and Middle America. As a member of the subtribe Doryphorina, it shares morphological traits with other Zygogramma species, including fused tarsal claws that distinguish the genus from related genera such as Calligrapha. The species Zygogramma conjuncta has been associated with feeding on plants in the family Malvaceae. The subspecies epithet "pallida" suggests a lighter coloration compared to the nominate form.
Zygogramma exclamationis
sunflower beetle
Zygogramma exclamationis, the sunflower beetle, is a leaf-feeding chrysomelid beetle native to North America. Adults emerge from hibernation in late spring to early summer, coinciding with sunflower seedling emergence, and feed on young leaves. Larvae develop through summer, feeding nocturnally on foliage while hiding in flower bracts during daylight hours. The species completes one generation per year, with new adults emerging in late summer before overwintering in soil. It is a recognized pest of cultivated sunflowers, particularly damaging to seedlings, and serves as host for parasitoid tachinid flies including Myiopharus neilli.
Zygogramma heterothecae
Zygogramma heterothecae is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Linell in 1896. It belongs to a genus of leaf-feeding beetles primarily found in the Americas. Members of the genus Zygogramma are typically associated with specific host plants and exhibit characteristic elytral patterns with stripes or spots. The genus is taxonomically distinguished from related genera such as Calligrapha by fused tarsal claws.
Zygogramma signatipennis
Zygogramma signatipennis is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae found in Mexico. The species has been documented feeding on acahual plants (Tithonia tubaeformis, Asteraceae), causing moderate to severe defoliation damage specifically to this host. Research suggests it shows greater feeding preference for plants in the vegetative stage and has been proposed as a potential biological control agent for management of T. tubaeformis as a weed. The species was originally described by Stål in 1859.
Zygogramma suturalis
ragweed leaf beetle
Zygogramma suturalis is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the ragweed leaf beetle. Native to North America, it has been introduced to Russia (1978) and other parts of Europe and Asia as a biological control agent for common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). The beetle exhibits strong host specificity, feeding almost exclusively on this plant. Despite establishment in introduced ranges, it has achieved only moderate biological success due to low population densities and limited impact on host plant populations.