Leaf-beetle
Guides
Donacia fulgens
Glittering reed beetle
Donacia fulgens, commonly known as the glittering reed beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the subfamily Donaciinae. Members of this genus are aquatic or semi-aquatic beetles closely associated with emergent vegetation in freshwater habitats. The species was described by LeConte in 1851 and is known to occur in North America, with records from Canada including Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Donacia hypoleuca
Pale pond lily leaf beetle
Donacia hypoleuca is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the pale pond lily leaf beetle. It is found in North America, with records from regions including Québec, Canada. As a member of the genus Donacia, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats and is likely linked to pond lily (Nymphaea) or other aquatic vegetation as host plants.
Donacia magnifica
magnificent aquatic leaf beetle, Magnificent pondweed beetle
Donacia magnifica is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by LeConte in 1851. It is native to North America, with records from Canada and the northern United States. The species is closely associated with pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.), on whose leaves adults feed. Like other members of the genus Donacia, it is adapted to an aquatic lifestyle.
Donacia militaris
Well-armed pond lily beetle
Donacia militaris is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to the eastern United States. Like other members of the genus Donacia, it is associated with aquatic vegetation. The common name "Well-armed pond lily beetle" reflects both its aquatic habitat and the species epithet.
Donacia palmata
Palm-footed pond lily leaf beetle
Donacia palmata is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and the broader North American continent. As a member of the subfamily Donaciinae, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The species is commonly known as the Palm-footed pond lily leaf beetle.
Donacia parvidens
Donacia parvidens is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was described by C. Schaeffer in 1919. It is found in North America, with records from Ontario, Canada. As a member of the subfamily Donaciinae, it is adapted to life in association with aquatic vegetation.
Donacia pubescens
Pubescent sedge beetle
Donacia pubescens is an aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by LeConte in 1868. It is found across North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Donacia, it is associated with aquatic habitats and is likely a specialist on aquatic plants.
Donacia pubicollis
Donacia pubicollis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Donaciinae. It is currently treated as a synonym of Donaciella pubicollis. The species has been recorded in North America, specifically in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. Records are sparse, with only four observations documented on iNaturalist. Like other members of the Donaciinae, it is likely associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Donacia rufescens
Donacia rufescens is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Members of the genus Donacia are typically associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats, where they feed on submerged and emergent vegetation. The 'cf.' notation in the record indicates tentative identification based on morphological similarity, pending definitive confirmation. The genus is notable for its ecological specialization on wetland plants and its role as an indicator of habitat quality.
Donacia subtilis
Donacia subtilis is a leaf beetle in the subfamily Donaciinae, commonly known as the aquatic leaf beetles. Species in this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, typically feeding on submerged or emergent aquatic vegetation. Adults are often found on the leaves of host plants, while larvae develop in the roots and stems of aquatic plants. The species has been recorded across much of northern North America.
Donacia tuberculata
Tuberculate reed beetle
Donacia tuberculata is a species of aquatic leaf beetle in the subfamily Donaciinae. It occurs in North America and is associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. Like other members of its genus, it is linked to wetland vegetation and has aquatic larvae that develop on submerged plant roots.
Dysphenges penrosei
Dysphenges penrosei is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Gilbert & Riley in 2012 from the United States. It belongs to the genus Dysphenges, which was erected by Horn in 1894. The species was named in honor of the late Richard L. Penrose, a prominent California coleopterist. It is one of three new Dysphenges species described in the same publication.
Dysphenges rileyi
Dysphenges rileyi is a species of flea beetle (subfamily Galerucinae, tribe Alticini) in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. The species was described in 2002 by Gilbert and Andrews. It occurs in Central America and North America.
Dysphenges secretus
Dysphenges secretus is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Gilbert and Riley in 2012. It was one of three new species of the genus Dysphenges described from the United States in a paper published in The Pan-Pacific Entomologist. The genus Dysphenges belongs to the tribe Alticini, a large group of leaf beetles known for their enlarged hind femora that enable jumping.
Entomoscelina
Entomoscelina is a subgenus of leaf beetles within the genus Entomoscelis (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Chrysomelinae). Species in this subgenus are associated with brassicaceous host plants. The group is primarily distributed in the Palaearctic region. Taxonomic boundaries between Entomoscelina and related subgenera have been subject to revision.
Entomoscelis americana
red turnip beetle
Entomoscelis americana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the red turnip beetle. It is native to North America, primarily distributed between 45° and 68° north latitude within the Western Cordillera and Interior Plains physiographic regions. The species is associated with forest, forest-grassland, and grassland vegetation types. In 2020, it was synonymized with the Palearctic species Entomoscelis adonidis, though this relationship was historically disputed based on morphological differences in male genitalia.
Epitrix humeralis
Epitrix humeralis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Dury in 1906. It is a small leaf beetle distributed across North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada. Like other members of the genus Epitrix, it likely feeds on Solanaceae plants, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented. The species is distinguished from congeners by subtle morphological features of the elytra and pronotum.
Erynephala puncticollis
beet leaf beetle
A skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, found in alkaline and dry lakebed habitats. Adults have been observed feeding on succulent foliage of salt-tolerant plants. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States.
Erynephala texana
Erynephala texana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The genus Erynephala belongs to the subfamily Galerucinae, which contains many herbivorous beetles commonly known as skeletonizing leaf beetles or flea beetles. This species has been documented in the southwestern United States, including Texas, consistent with its specific epithet. The genus is relatively small and poorly studied, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Eulepton
Eulepton is a genus of leaf beetles (family Chrysomelidae) established by Riley in 2019. The genus was erected relatively recently in coleopteran taxonomy, suggesting it may have been separated from a related genus based on morphological or genetic distinctions. As a member of Chrysomelidae, its species are herbivorous beetles. The genus appears to be poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Exema conspersa
warty leaf beetle
Exema conspersa is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The genus Exema belongs to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, commonly known as warty leaf beetles or case-bearing leaf beetles, recognized for their distinctive sculptured body surfaces. The species is distributed across Central America and North America.
Galeruca externa
Galeruca externa is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Galeruca, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly known as toadflax beetles or related leaf-feeding chrysomelids. Very little specific ecological or biological information has been published for this particular species.
Galeruca rudis
Galeruca rudis is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is distributed across western North America, from California and New Mexico north to Yukon and British Columbia. It has been recorded in association with various lupine species (Lupinus spp.), which serve as host plants. The species was first described by LeConte in 1857.
Galerucella
leaf beetles
Galerucella is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) described by Crotch in 1873. The genus is widely distributed globally but absent from the Neotropics. Several species have been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly against invasive aquatic plants such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and waterlilies. The genus has become a model system for ecological and evolutionary research, with genome assemblies available for three species (G. calmariensis, G. pusilla, and G. tenella).
Galerucella nymphaeae
water-lily beetle, water lily leaf beetle
Galerucella nymphaeae is a univoltine skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Adults and larvae feed on aquatic and semi-aquatic host plants, primarily in the families Nymphaeaceae and Polygonaceae. The species exhibits a distinctive reproductive diapause strategy where adults mate in summer but delay oviposition until spring after overwintering. Populations show genetically based polymorphisms in morphology, size, and reproductive traits associated with host plant use, suggesting incipient host race formation.
Gastrophysa
dock leaf beetles, knotweed leaf beetles
Gastrophysa is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, distinguished by pronounced physogastrism in females—swollen, membranous abdomens resulting from enlarged reproductive organs. The genus includes approximately nine described species, with G. viridula and G. polygoni being the most extensively studied. Members are oligophagous specialists on Polygonaceae, serving as both beneficial biological control agents for weeds and occasional minor pests of cultivated buckwheat. Several species have been introduced to North America and other regions, where they have established widespread populations.
Gastrophysa cyanea
green dock beetle, blue dock beetle
Gastrophysa cyanea is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 4-5 mm with metallic green coloration that may shift to metallic blue in pinned specimens. The species is found across North America and is strongly associated with dock plants (Rumex species), particularly curly dock. Females develop conspicuously swollen abdomens prior to egg laying, providing a reliable diagnostic feature. The species emerges in spring and has been the subject of behavioral studies examining host plant recognition.
Gastrophysa dissimilis
Gastrophysa dissimilis 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 from Canada including Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. The genus Gastrophysa comprises leaf beetles primarily associated with Polygonaceae host plants, though species-specific ecological details for G. dissimilis remain poorly documented.
Gastrophysa formosa
Gastrophysa formosa is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and presumably the United States. The genus Gastrophysa includes several species associated with Polygonaceae host plants. Beyond basic taxonomic placement and geographic range, specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Gastrophysa polygoni
Knotweed Leaf Beetle
Gastrophysa polygoni is a small leaf beetle in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Adults reach approximately 5 mm in length and display distinctive coloration: metallic green wing cases (elytra), green-blue body, and orange thorax. The species is native to Europe and has become established in North America, where it was introduced early in colonial settlement. It feeds primarily on Polygonaceae plants, serving as a beneficial biological control agent for weeds such as knotweeds and docks, though it occasionally damages cultivated buckwheat. The beetle exhibits complex reproductive behaviors including olfactory examination of airspace, track marking by females, and post-copulatory cleaning rituals.
Glyptina atriventris
Glyptina atriventris is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Horn in 1889. The species is distributed across Central and North America, with records from Alberta, Canada. Like other flea beetles, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The genus Glyptina is part of the subfamily Alticinae, one of the largest subfamilies of leaf beetles.
Glyptina spuria
Glyptina spuria is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by LeConte in 1859. It belongs to a genus of small leaf beetles characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The species has been recorded from central and eastern Canada.
Glyptoscelis
Glyptoscelis is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae, tribe Eumolpini. The genus contains 38 described species distributed across North, Central, and South America. One species, Glyptoscelis squamulata, is a documented agricultural pest of grape vines in southern California. The genus was historically classified in tribe Adoxini but has been reassigned to Eumolpini based on current taxonomy.
Glyptoscelis alternata
Glyptoscelis alternata is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Crotch in 1873. The species is native to the western United States. As a member of the genus Glyptoscelis, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles whose members are generally associated with vegetation.
Glyptoscelis cryptica
Glyptoscelis cryptica is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is known from the central United States. Information regarding its biology, host plants, and ecology remains poorly documented in available sources.
Glyptoscelis pubescens
hairy leaf beetle, pine chrysomelid
Glyptoscelis pubescens is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the hairy leaf beetle or pine chrysomelid. It is distributed across eastern North America, with records extending into Canada. The species is recognized as a potential pest of pine trees. Parasitoid wasps including Eupelmus sp. and Microctonus glyptosceli are known to attack this beetle.
Gonioctena americana
American Aspen Beetle
Gonioctena americana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the American aspen beetle. It is native to North America and has been documented in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Labrador. As a member of the genus Gonioctena, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Gonioctena notmani
Gonioctena notmani is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1924. It is a small beetle with limited available documentation. The species is recorded from scattered localities in North America including western Canada and Labrador.
Graphops cavani
Graphops cavani is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The genus Graphops contains species commonly known as flea beetles or leaf beetles, many of which are associated with specific host plants. Very little published information exists specifically for G. cavani, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the source date. The species appears to be rarely encountered or underreported.
Graphops comosa
Monahans sandhill chrysomelid, long-haired graphops, Monahans Graphops
Graphops comosa is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, endemic to the sandhills region of the southwestern United States. The species is distinguished by its exceptionally dense covering of coarse white hairs, the heaviest pubescence of any member of its genus. The specific epithet "comosa" is Latin for "with long hair," directly referencing this diagnostic feature. The beetle's restricted distribution and distinctive appearance make it a notable component of the specialized sandhill fauna of the region.
Graphops curtipennis
Graphops curtipennis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across North America. The species was described by F.E. Melsheimer in 1847. Phortus creticus, originally reported from Crete, was synonymized with this species by Daccordi in 1977 and is not actually found on that island. Two subspecies are recognized: G. c. curtipennis and G. c. schwarzi.
Graphops exilis
Graphops exilis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Blake in 1955. The genus Graphops belongs to the diverse leaf beetle family, whose members are primarily associated with feeding on plant foliage. This species is part of the North American fauna, though specific details about its biology remain limited.
Graphops floridana
Graphops floridana is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Blake in 1955. The species is known from Florida, with records indicating presence in North America. Very little published information exists regarding its biology, ecology, or conservation status. The genus Graphops belongs to the leaf beetle family, though specific details about this particular species remain sparse in the scientific literature.
Graphops simplex
Graphops simplex is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1884. It is native to North America. As a member of the leaf beetle family, it likely feeds on plant foliage, though specific host plants have not been documented in the available sources.
Graphops tenuis
Graphops tenuis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Blake in 1955. The genus Graphops belongs to the subfamily Eumolpinae, a group of leaf beetles commonly known as eumolpines or oval leaf beetles. Little specific biological information is documented for this particular species. The genus name has been subject to taxonomic confusion, with some sources historically conflating it with Paragrilus, a genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae), but these are unrelated taxa in different families.
Graphops varians
Graphops varians is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by LeConte in 1884. The species is known from North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba. Like other members of the genus Graphops, it belongs to the diverse leaf beetle fauna of the region. Specific details regarding its biology, host plants, and ecology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Gratiana
Gratiana is a genus of tortoise beetles (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae) comprising approximately seven described species. Members of this genus are characterized by the flattened, shield-like body form typical of tortoise beetles, with adults capable of clamping tightly against leaf surfaces as a defensive behavior. The genus is best known for Gratiana boliviana, which has been employed as a classical biological control agent against the invasive weed tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) in the southeastern United States.
Gratiana boliviana
Tropical Soda Apple Leaf Beetle, TSA tortoise beetle
Gratiana boliviana is a tortoise beetle (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) native to South America that was introduced to Florida in 2003 as the first biological control agent against tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), a prickly invasive shrub. The beetle is highly host-specific and has established successfully in Florida, reducing weed density and fruit production through defoliation. Over 250,000 beetles were released across Florida from 2003 to 2011. The beetle cannot complete development on native North American Solanum species or crop plants like eggplant, making it a relatively safe biocontrol choice. Cold sensitivity limits its northward establishment potential.
Griburius larvatus
Griburius larvatus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, occurring in North America. Adults measure 4.32–5.6 mm in length. As a member of the Clytrini tribe, it exhibits the characteristic behavior of constructing protective larval cases from fecal material and plant debris.
Griburius lecontii
Red-vested Griburius
Griburius lecontii is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America, with records extending to British Columbia, Canada. The species is one of approximately 99 observed taxa in the genus on iNaturalist. Like other members of the case-bearing leaf beetle group, it likely exhibits the characteristic behavior of constructing protective cases from fecal material and shed exuviae.