Cucurbitaceae
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Epilachna
leaf-eating lady beetles, bean beetles
Epilachna is a genus of leaf-eating lady beetles in the family Coccinellidae, comprising approximately 300 species primarily distributed in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike the predominantly predatory members of Coccinellidae, Epilachna species are phytophagous, feeding on plant foliage rather than other insects. Several species are significant agricultural pests, including the Mexican bean beetle (E. varivestis) and the squash lady beetle. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some species historically placed in Epilachna now assigned to related genera such as Henosepilachna.
Epilachninae
leaf-feeding lady beetles, phytophagous lady beetles
Epilachninae is a subfamily of lady beetles (Coccinellidae) distinguished from other coccinellids by their herbivorous diet. Adults superficially resemble predatory lady beetles but feed exclusively on plant material, making several species significant agricultural pests. The subfamily comprises approximately 16% of described Coccinellidae species. Larvae are covered with bands of spiny projections, unlike the smooth larvae of predatory coccinellids. Many species are monophagous or narrowly oligophagous, feeding on specific host plants within Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and other families. Some species, particularly in the genus Henosepilachna, have been introduced to new regions where they have become invasive pests of solanaceous crops.
Hoplandriini
Hoplandriini rove beetles
Hoplandriini is a tribe of small rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) containing at least 5 genera and 21 described species. The tribe includes the genus Microlia, whose members are pollen-feeders frequently associated with flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae. Some species, such as Microlia cayaponia, have been observed foraging on Cayaponia flowers and may compete with pollinators for pollen resources. The tribe occurs in the New World and Australasia.
Microlia
Microlia is a small genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Hoplandriini) comprising approximately twelve species. The genus has a disjunct distribution across Australasian and New World regions, with recent records from Brazil representing the first South American occurrences. Members of this genus are obligate pollen-feeders, with multiple species documented in association with flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae.