Leaf-beetle
Guides
Chrysolina schaefferi
Chrysolina schaefferi is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Brown in 1962. The species is known from North America. As a member of the genus Chrysolina, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles commonly associated with herbaceous plants, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species appears to be rarely collected, with limited observation records available.
Chrysolina staphylaea
brown leaf beetle
Chrysolina staphylaea is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to Europe. It has been introduced to Eastern Canada, with the first record from Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1897. The species is characterized by a reddish-brown body coloration. It is commonly known as the brown leaf beetle.
Chrysolina subsulcata
Chrysolina subsulcata is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1853. It has a Holarctic distribution, occurring across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is one of approximately 150 recognized species in the genus Chrysolina, a group of leaf beetles often associated with specific host plants.
Chrysolina varians
Chrysolina varians is a leaf beetle species native to Europe and the sole member of the subgenus Sphaeromela within the genus Chrysolina. It has been introduced to Australia and North America. The species is part of a genus that includes several biocontrol agents used against invasive plants.
Chrysomela confluens
Chrysomela confluens is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Research demonstrates that this species exhibits dramatically elevated abundance in plant hybrid zones between cottonwood species (Populus), where staggered leaf phenologies create 'phenological sinks' that concentrate beetle populations. The species depends on newly flushed leaves for optimal growth and reproduction, and its distribution is strongly tied to host plant phenology rather than host plant taxonomy alone.
Chrysomela crotchi
aspen leaf beetle
Chrysomela crotchi, the aspen leaf beetle, is a univoltine leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae that feeds exclusively on trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). Adults are notable for their exceptional longevity, capable of overwintering two successive years. The species has been studied extensively in northwestern Ontario and at the Aspen FACE site in northern Wisconsin, where research has examined how host plant genotype and atmospheric conditions affect beetle performance. Populations are subject to regulation primarily through predation on immature stages and overwintering mortality.
Chrysomela interrupta
alder leaf beetle
Chrysomela interrupta, the alder leaf beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae found in North America. It is one of several species in the genus Chrysomela associated with woody host plants. The species is documented in entomological records and citizen science observations, though detailed biological studies appear limited in the accessible literature.
Chrysomela knabi
Knab's Leaf Beetle
Chrysomela knabi is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Brown in 1956. It is a willow-feeding specialist found in North America, with two recognized subspecies: C. k. knabi and C. k. hesperia. The species has been studied for its larval performance and adult fitness in relation to host plant quality and moisture content.
Chrysomela lineatopunctata
Chrysomela lineatopunctata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded in several Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The species belongs to a genus of leaf beetles that are primarily associated with woody host plants, particularly willows and related Salicaceae.
Chrysomela mainensis
Maine Leaf Beetle
Chrysomela mainensis is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Bechyné in 1954. The species is found in North America, with observations recorded primarily from the northern United States and Canada. It belongs to a genus of leaf beetles that are typically associated with willow hosts. Three subspecies have been described: C. m. mainensis, C. m. interna, and C. m. littorea.
Chrysomela mainensis interna
Chrysomela mainensis interna is a subspecies of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by W.J. Brown in 1956. It belongs to the genus Chrysomela, a group of willow-feeding leaf beetles. The subspecies is part of the North American fauna of Chrysomela, which includes several closely related taxa with specialized host plant associations.
Chrysomela schaefferi
Chrysomela schaefferi is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by W.J. Brown in 1956 and is found in North America, with records from Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a member of the genus Chrysomela, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles that are typically associated with willow and poplar host plants.
Chrysomela scripta
cottonwood leaf beetle
Chrysomela scripta, the cottonwood leaf beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae that feeds on Populus species, particularly cottonwoods and hybrid poplars. It is native to North and Central America and has been documented as a significant pest of poplar plantations. The species completes multiple generations per year in temperate regions, with development strongly influenced by temperature. It is subject to biological control by predators and parasitoids, and serves as host to the microsporidian parasite Nosema scripta.
Clytrina
Clytrina is a subtribe of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) within the tribe Clytrini. Members are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The subtribe was established by W. Kirby in 1837 and is placed in the subfamily Cryptocephalinae.
Colaspidea
Colaspidea is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae. The genus exhibits a disjunct distribution, occurring in the Mediterranean region and in western North America (California and the southwestern United States). A notable morphological distinction exists between regional species: North American species possess fully developed wings, while Mediterranean species are wingless. Recent phylogenetic hypotheses suggest that Mediterranean Colaspidea may be sister to Chalcosicya, with Colaspina sister to both combined; North American species may represent a separate genus. The genus currently contains 19 described species.
Colaspidea pallipes
Colaspidea pallipes is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1933. The genus Colaspidea belongs to a group of leaf beetles commonly associated with vegetation, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. Records indicate its presence in North America.
Colaspidea smaragdula
Colaspidea smaragdula is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by J.L. LeConte in 1857. The species is found in North America. It belongs to the genus Colaspidea, which comprises leaf beetles within the diverse chrysomelid family.
Colaspis arizonensis
Colaspis arizonensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by American entomologist Charles Frederic August Schaeffer in 1933. The species is known from a limited geographic range in southeastern Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only four documented observations in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Colaspis brownsvillensis
Brownsville milkvine leaf beetle, Texas Milkvine Colaspis
Colaspis brownsvillensis is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Doris Holmes Blake in 1975 (published 1976) from specimens collected in Brownsville, Texas. The species is endemic to Texas and is closely related to Colaspis nigrocyanea. It is commonly known as the Brownsville milkvine leaf beetle or Texas Milkvine Colaspis. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only 20 documented observations in iNaturalist.
Colaspis brunnea
grape colaspis
Colaspis brunnea, commonly known as the grape colaspis, is a small leaf beetle native to eastern North America. Adults are brown in color and approximately 5 mm in length, with elytra bearing parallel rows of puncture marks. The species is univoltine, overwintering as larvae in the soil. While it has been observed feeding on crops including corn and soybeans, documented economic damage remains limited.
Colaspis crinicornis
Colaspis crinicornis is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, native to the Great Plains of the United States. It was described by Schaeffer in 1933. Historically not considered a pest, its populations have increased substantially in corn and soybean fields in southeastern Nebraska over the past decade. The species has a univoltine life cycle, overwintering as larvae in soil and emerging as adults in summer. Adults feed on above-ground foliage while larvae feed on below-ground plant portions.
Colaspis cruriflava
Colaspis cruriflava is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, known only from Arizona, United States. The species was described by entomologist Doris Holmes Blake in 1977. Its specific epithet "cruriflava" refers to yellow legs, a distinctive morphological feature. The genus Colaspis includes numerous species associated with various host plants, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Colaspis favosa
grape colaspis
Colaspis favosa is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It is native to North America and occurs primarily along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions of the United States. The species has been documented as an early-season pest of soybean in the southern United States, where it is commonly known as the grape colaspis. It is one of several Colaspis species associated with agricultural crops.
Colaspis flavocostata
Colaspis flavocostata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by C.F.A. Schaeffer in 1933. It is restricted to coastal southeastern United States, with records from Mississippi through Florida to South Carolina. The species includes two recognized subspecies: C. f. flavocostata and C. f. avaloni.
Colaspis floridana
Colaspis floridana is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Charles Schaeffer in 1934 as a variety of Colaspis brunnea and elevated to full species rank by Doris Blake in 1974. It occurs in the southeastern United States, with records from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The species feeds on leaves of various plants including crop species and ornamentals, though it has not been reported as an economically damaging pest.
Colaspis hesperia
Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle
Colaspis hesperia is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, native to southwestern North America. The specific epithet "hesperia" derives from the Greek word for "western," reflecting its geographic distribution. It is closely related to Colaspis brunnea. The species has been documented in 51 observations on iNaturalist.
Colaspis louisianae
Colaspis louisianae is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, distributed in Texas and Louisiana. According to Chapin (1979), it is the most common species of the genus Colaspis in field crops in Louisiana. It is morphologically similar to Colaspis brunnea, requiring careful examination for identification.
Colaspis pini
Pine Colaspis
Colaspis pini, commonly known as the pine colaspis, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. First described by American entomologist Herbert Spencer Barber in 1937, this species is known to feed on pines in the southern United States. It has been documented as an occasional pest of Christmas trees. The species is externally almost identical to Colaspis flavocostata but can be distinguished by the shape of the male aedeagus. Two subspecies are recognized: C. p. pini and C. p. schotti.
Colaspis suggona
Colaspis suggona is a leaf beetle species described by Blake in 1977. It belongs to the family Chrysomelidae and is known to occur in North America. Very little specific information is documented about this species, and it appears to be rarely observed or studied.
Colaspis viridiceps
Green-headed Colaspis Leaf Beetle
Colaspis viridiceps is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, native to southwestern North America. It was first described by Charles Frederic August Schaeffer in 1933. The species is distinguished by its greenish head coloration, reflected in its specific epithet. Two subspecies are recognized: C. viridiceps viridiceps and C. viridiceps australis.
Colaspis viriditincta
Colaspis viriditincta is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Charles Frederic August Schaeffer in 1919. The specific epithet refers to a green-tinged coloration. It is known from Arizona and Mexico. The genus Colaspis includes species associated with various host plants, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Coleorozena fulvilabris
Coleorozena fulvilabris is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Coleorozena, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles known for constructing protective larval cases from fecal material and shed exuviae.
Coleothorpa axillaris
A case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae with eight recognized subspecies. The species exhibits notable geographic variation across its range in Central and North America. Subspecies were described primarily by Moldenke in 1970, with additional earlier descriptions by LeConte and Dahl.
Coscinoptera
Coscinoptera is a genus of case-bearing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. The genus was established by Lacordaire in 1848. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, tribe Clytrini, and are characterized by their case-bearing larval habit where larvae construct protective cases from fecal material and plant debris. The genus includes species such as C. aeneipennis, C. mucida, and C. villosa.
Crepidodera aereola
Crepidodera aereola is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to North America. As a member of the tribe Alticini, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles, enabling jumping behavior. The species is among the smallest flea beetles in its region, with adults measuring approximately 1–1.6 mm in length. It has been documented feeding on plants in the genus Hibiscus.
Crepidodera opulenta
Crepidodera opulenta is a flea beetle (subfamily Galerucinae, tribe Alticini) first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. As a member of the genus Crepidodera, it belongs to a group of small leaf beetles characterized by their jumping ability. Very little specific information is available about this particular species, though the genus is known to contain species associated with various host plants. The species name 'opulenta' suggests a reference to richness or abundance, possibly alluding to coloration or some other distinctive feature noted by LeConte.
Crepidodera solita
Crepidodera solita is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Parry in 1986. The species was originally reported as endemic to Ontario, Canada, though subsequent records indicate a broader distribution across Canadian provinces. As a member of the tribe Alticini, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles, enabling jumping locomotion. Very little is known about its biology, host associations, or ecology.
Crepidodera violacea
Violet Flea Beetle
Crepidodera violacea is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the subfamily Alticinae, characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The species was described by Melsheimer in 1847. Like other flea beetles, it is likely associated with herbaceous vegetation, though specific host plants are not well documented in available sources.
Crioceris
asparagus beetle
Crioceris is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) commonly known as asparagus beetles. The genus includes both widespread agricultural pests and rare species restricted to specialized habitats. Several species are associated with Asparagus host plants, with C. asparagi and C. duodecimpunctata being notable invasive pests. Other species such as C. quinquepunctata and C. quatuordecimpunctata are rare and occupy steppe-like habitats in Eurasia. The genus has been subject to molecular barcoding studies to distinguish closely related species.
Crioceris asparagi
Common Asparagus Beetle
Crioceris asparagi, the common asparagus beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Native to Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Siberia, it has been introduced to North America where it is a significant pest of cultivated asparagus. Both adults and larvae feed externally on leaves and stems of Asparagus species. The beetle is notable for its distinctive appearance: metallic blue-black with cream or yellow spots on red-bordered elytra, and for its specialized egg attachment mechanism that allows eggs to adhere to the anti-adhesive crystalline waxy surface of host plants.
Crioceris duodecimpunctata
Spotted Asparagus Beetle
A small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, Crioceris duodecimpunctata is a significant invasive pest of asparagus cultivations. Adults feed on tender shoots and leaves, while larvae develop exclusively on asparagus berries. The species is widespread across the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America. Molecular studies confirm its status as a sister taxon to C. quatuordecimpunctata, with both species originating nearly simultaneously from a common ancestor.
Cryptocephalina
case-bearer leaf beetles
Cryptocephalina is a subtribe of leaf beetles within the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, commonly known as case-bearer leaf beetles. These beetles are characterized by their distinctive life history: adults possess the ability to retract their head, legs, and antennae into grooves on the body, while larvae construct protective cases from fecal material. The subtribe includes species with highly specialized ecological associations, including myrmecophilous (ant-associated) forms that live within ant nests.
Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) in the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, belonging to the Camptosomata, a group commonly known as case-bearing leaf beetles. The genus is characterized by larvae that construct protective cases from their own fecal matter. It is a large and widespread genus with numerous species distributed across the Holarctic region, though individual species often have restricted ranges and specialized host plant associations.
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 aulicus
Princely-spotted Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus aulicus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Haldeman in 1849. It occurs in North America and belongs to a large genus of small, often brightly colored beetles commonly known as case-bearing leaf beetles due to the habit of larvae constructing portable cases from fecal material and shed skins. The specific epithet "aulicus" suggests a princely or courtly association, reflected in its preferred common name.
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 binotatus
Cryptocephalus binotatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by R. White in 1968. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits the characteristic case-bearing behavior where larvae construct protective cases from their own fecal material and shed exoskeletons.
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.