Hispine
Guides
Anisostena ariadne
Anisostena ariadne is a species of hispine leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Newman in 1841. Adults measure 4.6–5.3 mm in length and are characterized by black elytra with a purple iridescent hue. The species has been documented feeding on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). It is widely distributed across the eastern and central United States, with records from 18 states and the District of Columbia.
Anisostena kansana
Anisostena kansana is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, specifically within the tortoise beetle subfamily Cassidinae. Adults measure 4.1–5.3 mm and display distinctive metallic coloration: the head and elytra are greenish-blue, while the pronotum is reddish-orange with a greenish-blue anterior area. The species is known from a limited geographic range in the central United States, with records from Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma. It has been documented feeding on Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass).
Anisostena lecontii
Anisostena lecontii is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, known from the southeastern United States. Adults measure approximately 4.6–4.8 mm in length and exhibit distinctive coloration with a black head and elytra contrasting with a red pronotum that has black basal and apical margins. The species has been recorded from Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia. Adults have been collected on Panicum repens, though whether this grass serves as the actual food plant remains uncertain.
Anisostena texana
A small hispine leaf beetle in the subfamily Cassidinae, measuring 4.1-4.6 mm. Adults display distinctive metallic blue elytra and head contrasting with a reddish-orange pronotum. The species occurs in the south-central United States and Mexico, where adults have been collected from prairie vegetation.
Baliosus californicus
Baliosus californicus is a leaf-mining tortoise beetle (Cassidinae) in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is found in western North America and Mexico, where adults feed on various Ceanothus species. It was described by Horn in 1883 and is characterized by distinctive elytral punctation and costate interspaces.
Hilarocassis
Hilarocassis is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. It contains approximately 10 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus was established by Spaeth in 1913 and belongs to the subfamily Cassidinae, tribe Mesomphaliini. Species in this genus exhibit the characteristic tortoise beetle body form with a broad, flattened shape and expanded elytral margins.
Microrhopala
Microrhopala is a genus of hispine leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing approximately 18 described species in North America. These small beetles are characterized by their clubbed antennae and association with herbaceous vegetation, particularly in prairie and old field habitats. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with species historically placed in the subfamily Hispinae now classified within the more broadly defined Cassidinae. Ecological studies have demonstrated that some species, particularly M. vittata, can function as keystone herbivores capable of dramatically altering plant community structure through outbreaks.
Microrhopala excavata
Microrhopala excavata is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae (formerly Hispinae). Adults measure 4–5.6 mm (males) and 4.6–6.6 mm (females). The species exhibits metallic coloration, with adults appearing black, metallic green, blue, or purple. It is broadly distributed across North America, with two recognized subspecies showing partially overlapping ranges. The species has been recorded feeding on several Asteraceae host plants.
Microrhopala rubrolineata militaris
Microrhopala rubrolineata militaris is a subspecies of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae. The genus Microrhopala comprises small hispine leaf beetles characterized by clubbed antennae. Species in this genus are host-specific herbivores, with adults feeding on foliage and larvae mining within leaves. The specific epithet "rubrolineata" (red-lined) and subspecific name "militaris" suggest distinctive coloration, though detailed distinguishing features from nominate M. rubrolineata are not documented in available sources.
Microrhopala rubrolineata rubrolineata
A subspecies of hispine leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, Microrhopala rubrolineata rubrolineata is found in western North America. The species Microrhopala rubrolineata, along with the eastern M. vittata, belongs to a genus of leaf-feeding beetles that specialize on Asteraceae host plants. Adults and larvae both feed on their host plants, with larvae mining within leaves.
Microrhopala rubrolineata signaticollis
Microrhopala rubrolineata signaticollis is a subspecies of hispine leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by J.L. LeConte in 1859. The genus Microrhopala comprises small leaf beetles with clubbed antennae, with several species occurring in North America. Members of this genus are herbivorous specialists typically associated with particular host plants in the Asteraceae family. This subspecies is part of the broader M. rubrolineata species complex distributed across North and Middle America.
Microrhopala vittata
goldenrod leaf miner, goldenrod leafminer
Microrhopala vittata is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the goldenrod leaf miner. Adults are 5–6 mm in length and exhibit variable coloration from red to black with distinctive lighter vittae (stripes) on the elytra. The species is highly specialized on goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and flat-topped goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia), with larvae mining between leaf surfaces and adults feeding on upper leaves. Ecological studies have demonstrated its potential as a keystone species in old field communities, where outbreak populations can dramatically reduce tall goldenrod dominance and alter plant community composition for multiple years.
Physonota
tortoise beetles, hispines
Physonota is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines in the family Chrysomelidae, containing more than 40 described species. Species in this genus are distributed across North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The larvae possess distinctive defensive structures: shields made of feces and exuviae held over the body using urogomphi. Host plant associations have been documented for some species, though many remain poorly studied.
Stenispa collaris
Bicolored Smooth Hispine
Stenispa collaris is a small hispine beetle in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. Adults are narrowly elongate and cylindrical with a distinctive color pattern: shining black body, bright red thorax, and cupreo-aeneous (coppery-bronze) elytra. The species occurs across the central and eastern United States, from New York to Texas. Despite being a member of the hispine group—many of which are specialized leaf miners—no host plant has been documented for this species.
Stenispa metallica
Black Smooth Hispine
Stenispa metallica is a species of hispine beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Adults are characterized by a shining black body with an obscure metallic tinge. The species has been recorded from a broad range of states in the eastern and central United States, as well as from Mexico. Larval development is associated with sedges and grasses, with Scirpus atrovirens documented as a confirmed host plant.
Stenopodius
Stenopodius is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae, containing approximately seven described species. The genus was established by Horn in 1883 and is classified within the tribe Chalepini. Species in this genus are distributed in western and southwestern North America, including California, Texas, and insular regions. Members are hispine-type beetles, characterized by spiny or modified body forms associated with leaf-feeding habits.
Sumitrosis ancoroides
Anchor Hispine
Sumitrosis ancoroides is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae. Adults measure 2.9–3.7 mm and display distinctive black markings on the pronotum and elytra, including a characteristic anchor-shaped spot. The species feeds on leguminous plants including wild beans and soybean. It occurs across a broad range in North America from Canada to the southern United States.