Cryptocephalus
Guides
Asiopus
Asiopus is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, currently treated as a synonym of Cryptocephalus. It was established by Lopatin in 1965 for certain Palaearctic species. The genus name continues to appear in some databases and literature due to historical usage. Species formerly placed in Asiopus share the general characteristics of Cryptocephalus, including compact bodies and enlarged hind femora.
Cryptocephalus alternans
Cryptocephalus alternans is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in southwestern North America, including California, Arizona, and Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: C. a. alternans and C. a. jungovittatus, with the latter measuring 4.7–5.0 mm in length.
Cryptocephalus atrofasciatus
Cryptocephalus atrofasciatus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Jacoby in 1880. It belongs to a large genus of leaf beetles known for their rounded, compact bodies and enlarged hind femora. The species has been recorded from both Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented. Like other members of Cryptocephalus, adults likely feed on foliage of various plants, with larvae developing in protective cases constructed from fecal material and plant debris.
Cryptocephalus australobispinus
Sand Plains Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus australobispinus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Riley and Gilbert in 2000. The species is found in North America and is associated with sand prairie habitats. Like other members of the genus, adults likely feed on foliage of host plants and larvae develop in portable cases constructed from fecal material and plant debris.
Cryptocephalus badius
Bay-necked Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus badius is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in North America and is known by the common name Bay-necked Cryptocephalus. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly referred to as case-bearers due to their habit of constructing protective cases from fecal material and shed skins.
Cryptocephalus bispinus
Cryptocephalus bispinus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Suffrian in 1858. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited. Like other members of the genus Cryptocephalus, it likely exhibits the characteristic case-bearing behavior where larvae construct protective cases from their own fecal material and shed skins.
Cryptocephalus brunneovittatus
Texas Brown-striped Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus brunneovittatus is a case-bearing leaf beetle described by Schaeffer in 1904. It belongs to the genus Cryptocephalus, a large group of leaf beetles known for constructing protective cases from fecal material and exuviae. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with the common name "Texas Brown-striped Cryptocephalus" suggesting a primary association with Texas in the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to feed on plant foliage, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Cryptocephalus calidus
Fiery Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus calidus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to North America. It is commonly known as the Fiery Cryptocephalus due to its coloration. The species belongs to a genus whose members are characterized by larvae that construct portable cases from fecal material and shed skins. As with other Cryptocephalus species, adults are typically found on vegetation where they feed on leaves.
Cryptocephalus cupressi
Cypress Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus cupressi is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1933. As a member of the large genus Cryptocephalus, this species is known from North America. The specific epithet 'cupressi' suggests an association with cypress (Cupressaceae), though detailed biological information remains limited. The species is documented in 11 iNaturalist observations.
Cryptocephalus defectus
Texas Yellow Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus defectus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1880. The species is known from North America, with the common name "Texas Yellow Cryptocephalus" suggesting a primary association with Texas and surrounding regions. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it exhibits the typical concealed feeding behavior of its group, with larvae constructing portable cases from fecal material and host plant debris. Available documentation for this species is limited, with only 16 observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Cryptocephalus downiei
Downie's spotted leaf beetle, Downie-dotted Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus downiei is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described in 2000 by E. Riley and Gilbert, with the specific epithet honoring American psychologist and coleopterist Norville Downie. The species is known from North America and belongs to a genus whose larvae construct portable cases from their own feces and shed exoskeletons.
Cryptocephalus duryi
Tamaulipan Freckled Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus duryi is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1906. It is known from North America, with iNaturalist records documenting 17 observations. The species belongs to a genus of leaf beetles characterized by larvae that construct portable cases from fecal material and shed skins.
Cryptocephalus falli
Fall's Florida Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus falli is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Schöller in 2002. The species is found in North America. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it belongs to a group commonly known as case-bearing leaf beetles, where larvae construct protective cases from their own excrement and shed skins.
Cryptocephalus incertus
Uncertain Case-bearing Leaf Beetle
Cryptocephalus incertus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Ontario and Québec in Canada. The species was described by Olivier in 1808. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles known for their distinctive case-bearing behavior, where larvae construct and carry protective cases from their own fecal material and host plant debris.
Cryptocephalus leucomelas
Bi-blotched Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus leucomelas is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 4.0–6.0 mm in length. It is distributed across North America, including the United States and Canada. The species belongs to a genus commonly known as case-bearing leaf beetles, with larvae that construct protective cases from fecal material and shed skins. Three subspecies have been described: C. l. leucomelas, C. l. trisignatus, and C. l. vitticollis.
Cryptocephalus maccus
Clown-faced Cryptocephalus, Clown face
Cryptocephalus maccus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by R. White in 1968. The species is known by the common names "Clown-faced Cryptocephalus" and "Clown face," the latter referencing its distinctive coloration. It occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in the available literature. Like other members of the genus Cryptocephalus, adults are likely associated with vegetation where they feed and reproduce.
Cryptocephalus merus
case-bearing leaf beetle
Cryptocephalus merus is a small case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 3.8–4.3 mm in length. The species is known from a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas and possible occurrence in Mexico. Like other members of the genus, adults construct protective cases from fecal material and shed exoskeletons that cover the abdomen.
Cryptocephalus multisignatus
Cryptocephalus multisignatus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1933. The species is known to occur in North America. Like other members of the genus Cryptocephalus, adults likely feed on foliage of various plants, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented. The larvae construct protective cases from fecal material and shed skins, a characteristic trait of the subfamily Cryptocephalinae.
Cryptocephalus mutabilis
Shield-backed Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus mutabilis is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, and Québec). The species belongs to a large genus of small to medium-sized leaf beetles commonly known as case-bearers due to their habit of constructing protective cases from fecal material and shed skins.
Cryptocephalus nigrocinctus
Metallic Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus nigrocinctus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Suffrian in 1852. It is known by the common name Metallic Cryptocephalus. The species occurs in North America and the Caribbean region. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it shares the characteristic behavior of constructing portable cases from fecal material and shed exoskeletons.
Cryptocephalus notatus fulvipennis
Cryptocephalus obsoletus
obsoletus case-bearing leaf beetle
Cryptocephalus obsoletus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate C. o. obsoletus and C. o. indistinctus (described by R. White in 1968). The species is distributed across North America. As with other members of the genus, larvae construct portable cases from fecal material and shed skins, earning the common name "case-bearing" leaf beetles.
Cryptocephalus optimus
Happy Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus optimus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Schöller in 2002. The species is found in North America. Very little specific biological information is available for this species beyond its taxonomic placement and general distribution.
Cryptocephalus pallidicinctus
Pale-bordered Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus pallidicinctus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1932. It is known from North America, with very limited observational records. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it likely shares the characteristic behavior of larvae constructing portable cases from fecal material and exuviae, though specific details for this species remain undocumented.
Cryptocephalus pseudomaccus
Cryptocephalus pseudomaccus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by R. White in 1968 and is known to occur in North America. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles characterized by their habit of constructing protective cases from their own fecal material.
Cryptocephalus pubicollis
Cryptocephalus pubicollis is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was described by Linell in 1898. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Cryptocephalus, adults construct portable cases from their own excrement and shed exoskeletons, which they carry throughout their lives.
Cryptocephalus pumilus
Pale Coastal Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus pumilus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Haldeman in 1849. It is known from North America, with iNaturalist observations suggesting it may be associated with coastal or near-coastal habitats based on its common name. Like other members of the genus Cryptocephalus, adults construct protective cases from fecal material and shed exuviae that cover the abdomen. The species is part of a large genus of leaf beetles, many of which are associated with specific host plants.
Cryptocephalus quadruplex
Black and Red Sumac Leaf Beetle
Cryptocephalus quadruplex is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species occurs across North America, with records from Canada (Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and the United States. As a member of the case-bearing leaf beetles, its larvae construct protective cases from fecal matter and sometimes plant debris. The species has been observed on sumac (Rhus) and other vegetation in prairie and open woodland habitats.
Cryptocephalus striatulus
Narrow-headed Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus striatulus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America, with records from Québec, Canada. The species was described by LeConte in 1880. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it likely exhibits the characteristic behavior of larvae that construct and carry protective cases from fecal material and shed exuviae.
Cryptocephalus texanus
Texas Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus texanus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1933. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it possesses the characteristic hardened larval case formed from fecal material and shed exuviae. The species is known from North America, with records primarily from the southern United States. Like other members of its genus, adults are small, rounded leaf beetles with enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Cryptocephalus tinctus
Tinged Case-bearing Leaf Beetle
Cryptocephalus tinctus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Québec. As a member of the genus Cryptocephalus, it possesses the characteristic case-bearing habit where larvae construct portable cases from fecal material and shed exoskeletons. The specific epithet "tinctus" (Latin for "tinged" or "dyed") likely refers to subtle coloration differences from related species.
Cryptocephalus triundulatus
Third-wave Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus triundulatus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by R. White in 1968. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with herbaceous vegetation and has been collected by sweeping plants in prairie and sand prairie habitats.
Cryptocephalus trizonatus
Tri-banded Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus trizonatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is characterized by three distinct bands or zones on its elytra, which gives rise to both its scientific name ('trizonatus' meaning 'three-zoned') and its common name. It occurs across Central America and North America, with 43 observations documented on iNaturalist. Like other members of the genus Cryptocephalus, it is associated with vegetation and has been collected by sweeping herbaceous plants.