Leaf-beetle
Guides
Phyllobrotica decorata
Phyllobrotica decorata is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Phyllobrotica, it is believed to be a host specialist, though specific host plant associations for this species remain poorly documented compared to congeners.
Phyllobrotica lengi
Phyllobrotica lengi is an exceptionally rare leaf beetle endemic to eastern North America. First described by Blatchley in 1910, this species remained virtually unknown in Missouri until a small series was collected in 1988 on Scutellaria parvula. It is one of the rarest beetles in Missouri, with only four historical specimens known prior to the 1988 collection. Like other Phyllobrotica species, it is an extreme host specialist, feeding exclusively on skullcap plants (Scutellaria).
Phyllobrotica nigritarsis
Phyllobrotica nigritarsis is a rare leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae) endemic to the central United States. The species was historically known from only four specimens collected in Missouri during the late 1800s until a small series was collected in 1987. It is an extreme host specialist, feeding exclusively on Scutellaria parvula (small skullcap), a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Like other Phyllobrotica species, it inhabits wet bottomland habitats rather than dry prairies.
Phyllobrotica sequoiensis
Phyllobrotica sequoiensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Blake in 1956. It is found in North America, though specific details about its distribution, habitat preferences, and biology remain poorly documented. The genus Phyllobrotica comprises highly host-specialized beetles, with most species feeding exclusively on plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae), particularly the genera Stachys and Scutellaria.
Physonota alutacea
wild olive tortoise beetle
Physonota alutacea, commonly known as the wild olive tortoise beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It belongs to the tortoise beetle subfamily Cassidinae, characterized by the distinctive domed body shape typical of this group. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America. It is associated with wild olive (Cordia boissieri) and related host plants.
Physonota calochroma
Physonota calochroma is a tortoise beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, originally described by Blake in 1965. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Eurypepla calochroma. As a member of the tortoise beetle subfamily Cassidinae, it possesses the characteristic domed carapace formed by modified elytra and pronotum. Larvae of the genus Physonota construct distinctive fecal umbrellas using exuviae and frass, held aloft by urogomphi structures.
Physonota unipunctata
horsemint tortoise beetle, beebalm tortoise beetle, bergamot tortoise beetle, one-spotted tortoise beetle
Physonota unipunctata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the horsemint or beebalm tortoise beetle. The species is native to North America and has been documented from Canada to the United States. Historical taxonomic work from the late 19th century clarified species boundaries among related forms described by early American entomologists. The beetle shows seasonal phenology tied to host plant emergence, with adults appearing in June in the Montreal region.
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 arizonae
Plagiodera arizonae is a leaf beetle species in the tribe Chrysomelini, endemic to Arizona. The species exhibits distinctive coloration with black elytra contrasting against a red head and legs. It belongs to a genus of leaf beetles associated with willow and poplar hosts.
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.
Plagiodera versicolora
Willow Leaf Beetle, Imported Willow Leaf Beetle
Plagiodera versicolora is a small leaf beetle in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, commonly known as the willow leaf beetle or imported willow leaf beetle. Native to Europe and the Mediterranean region, it has been introduced to North America and occurs in parts of Asia. The species is a specialist herbivore on Salicaceae, feeding on willow and poplar leaves throughout its life cycle. Adults overwinter in protected locations and become active in spring, with multiple generations developing through summer. The species has been extensively studied for its chemosensory biology, host plant interactions, and as a model for understanding insect-plant coevolution.
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 frosti
Frost's reed beetle
Plateumaris frosti is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the subfamily Donaciinae, commonly known as Frost's reed beetle. It is distributed across North America with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Plateumaris, it is associated with wetland and riparian habitats. The species was described by C. Schaeffer in 1925.
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 robusta
Robust reed beetle
Plateumaris robusta is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Donaciinae. It is found in North America, with records from western Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a member of the reed beetle genus Plateumaris, it is associated with freshwater wetland habitats.
Poecilocera
Poecilocera is a monotypic genus of aquatic leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing the single species Poecilocera harrisii. The genus was established by Schaeffer in 1919. The name has been used historically in both Coleoptera and Orthoptera, creating taxonomic confusion.
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.
Promecosoma inflatum
Promecosoma inflatum is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae, tribe Clytrini. It was described by Lefèvre in 1877. The species has a limited known distribution spanning the southwestern United States (Arizona) and Mexico. As a member of the Clytrini, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles often associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information remains sparse in the published literature.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Smaragdina militaris
Texas Military Leaf Beetle
Smaragdina militaris is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America. Two subspecies are recognized: S. m. arizonica and the nominate S. m. militaris. As a member of the case-bearing leaf beetles, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic behavior of constructing protective cases from fecal material and shed exoskeletons.
Sphaeroderma
Sphaeroderma is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) comprising approximately 250 species distributed across the Old World. Members of this genus are small leaf beetles characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with new species continuing to be described from montane regions.
Spintherophyta
Spintherophyta is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae. The genus exhibits high diversity in the Neotropics, with approximately 71 species recorded from Central and South America, while only four species occur in North America north of Mexico. Species are typically small, globular beetles, often found feeding on pollen in flowers.
Spintherophyta arizonensis
Spintherophyta arizonensis is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae, described by Schultz in 1976. The genus Spintherophyta is most diverse in the Neotropics, with only four species occurring in North America north of Mexico. This species is one of the North American representatives of a predominantly Neotropical genus of globular, pollen-feeding leaf beetles.
Spintherophyta exigua
A small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Schultz in 1976. As a member of the genus Spintherophyta, it belongs to a group with much higher diversity in the Neotropics compared to North America. The species epithet 'exigua' suggests small size, consistent with the genus's characteristic diminutive stature.
Stator vachelliae
Stator vachelliae is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Bottimer in 1973. It is distributed across Central America, North America, and South America. The genus Stator is known to include seed beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
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.
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.
Stenopodius lateralis
Lateral Tortoise Beetle
Stenopodius lateralis is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, originally described as Brachycoryna lateralis by Schaeffer in 1933. It occurs across western North America from Canada through the United States to Mexico. Adults have been documented on Sphaeralcea species (globemallows), though whether these represent true host plants remains unclear.
Stenopodius martini
Stenopodius martini is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Blaisdell in 1939. It belongs to the subfamily Cassidinae, a group commonly known as tortoise beetles or hispine beetles. The species is known from the southwestern United States. Its food plant remains unknown, though adults have been collected on Sphaeralcea species.
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.
Sumitrosis inaequalis
Sumitrosis inaequalis is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae. Adults measure 3.4–4.2 mm and exhibit highly variable coloration, ranging from pale yellow with faint markings to predominantly black with yellow spots. The species is distributed across Central America and much of North America, with records from Canada and the United States. It is a leaf miner, feeding internally on host plant foliage.
Sumitrosis pallescens
Sumitrosis pallescens is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 3.1-3.5 mm as adults. The species is characterized by pale yellow coloration on the pronotum and elytra, with dark spots near the wing tips. It is known to feed on Chamaecrista species and has a broad distribution across the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Syneta
Syneta is a genus of leaf beetles comprising approximately 11 described species. It is the sole genus in the subfamily Synetinae, a small lineage within the family Chrysomelidae. The genus has an exclusively Holarctic distribution, occurring in northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. The type species, Syneta betulae, was described by Fabricius in 1792.