Leaf-beetle
Guides
Pachybrachis picturatus
Pachybrachis picturatus is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The genus Pachybrachis contains numerous small, often colorfully patterned species commonly known as case-bearing leaf beetles due to the larval habit of constructing protective cases from fecal material. This species was described by Germar in 1824 and occurs in North America.
Pachybrachis postfasciatus
Pachybrachis postfasciatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle described by Fall in 1915. It belongs to the family Chrysomelidae, a large group of herbivorous beetles commonly known as leaf beetles. The species is documented from North America. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, it is likely associated with vegetation in its habitat, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pachybrachis pusillus
Bulge-eyed Yellow Pachy
Pachybrachis pusillus is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been collected at light traps in mesquite-acacia scrub and oak-juniper woodland habitats in Arizona. The common name "Bulge-eyed Yellow Pachy" refers to distinctive eye morphology and coloration typical of the genus.
Pachybrachis quadratus
Pachybrachis quadratus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Fall in 1915. It is found in North America. Members of the genus Pachybrachis are commonly known as "scriptured leaf beetles" due to the intricate patterns on their elytra. The species has been documented in field collections from mesquite and oak habitats in the southwestern United States.
Pachybrachis signatifrons
Pachybrachis signatifrons is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1843. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, which are characterized by larvae that construct and carry protective cases.
Pachybrachis signatus
Pachybrachis signatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is a small beetle within the diverse genus Pachybrachis, which comprises numerous North American species often difficult to distinguish without close examination. The species was described by Bowditch in 1909. Available records indicate it occurs in North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pachybrachis snowi
Pachybrachis snowi is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America. The species was described by Bowditch in 1909. Beyond its taxonomic placement and geographic occurrence, detailed biological information about this species remains limited in available sources.
Pachybrachis sonorensis
Finely-punctate Sonoran Pachy
Pachybrachis sonorensis is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Jacoby in 1889. It is native to North America, with records from the southwestern United States and adjacent regions. The species belongs to a large genus of small leaf beetles characterized by their rounded, convex body form and enlarged hind femora.
Pachybrachis stygicus
Pachybrachis stygicus is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Fall in 1915. The genus Pachybrachis is part of the tribe Pachybrachini, commonly known as the scriptured leaf beetles for their often intricate elytral patterns. The species epithet 'stygicus' derives from Greek mythology, referring to the river Styx, suggesting dark or gloomy coloration. Records indicate presence in North America, with observations documented in the southwestern United States.
Pachybrachis subfasciatus
Pachybrachis subfasciatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is a small beetle native to North America, with records from Canada (Manitoba, Ontario) and the United States. The species is part of the diverse genus Pachybrachis, which contains numerous similar-looking species that are often difficult to distinguish without close examination.
Pachybrachis tacitus
A small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, this species is part of a diverse group of case-bearing leaf beetles found in North America. The species is documented from limited collection records, with observations spanning the southwestern United States.
Pachybrachis texanus
Tall Texas Pachy
Pachybrachis texanus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species is relatively poorly documented, with approximately 80 observations recorded on iNaturalist. It belongs to a genus of small leaf beetles known for their rounded, convex body form and often colorful or patterned elytra.
Pachybrachis texasensis
Pachybrachis texasensis is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Robert J. Barney in 2021. The species is part of the diverse genus Pachybrachis, which contains numerous small, often colorful beetles associated with various host plants. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Pachybrachis trinotatus
Pachybrachis trinotatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1847. The species is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (Ontario and Québec) and the United States. As a member of the genus Pachybrachis, it belongs to a group commonly known as scriptured leaf beetles, characterized by their compact bodies and often patterned elytra. Specific ecological details about this species remain limited in published literature.
Pachybrachis turbidus
Robust Plains Pachy
Pachybrachis turbidus is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the Robust Plains Pachy. It belongs to a large genus of small, often colorful leaf beetles found primarily in North America. The species has been documented through 386 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is moderately well-observed but not extensively studied in the scientific literature.
Pachybrachis turgidicollis
Pachybrachis turgidicollis is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It has been documented in North America, specifically recorded from Arizona and Texas. The species was described by Fall in 1915. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to the tribe Pachybrachini, which are known for their compact bodies and enlarged hind femora.
Pachybrachis varians
Pachybrachis varians is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Bowditch in 1909. The genus Pachybrachis belongs to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, a group known for larvae that construct protective cases from fecal material and exuviae. Like other members of this genus, P. varians is likely small in size and associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information for this particular species remains limited. The species occurs in North America.
Pachybrachis vau
Pachybrachis vau is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. The genus Pachybrachis comprises numerous small, often colorful leaf beetles commonly known as 'scriptured leaf beetles' due to their intricate elytral patterns. Like other members of this genus, P. vau is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information for this particular species remains limited.
Pachybrachis vulnerosus
A species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. It belongs to the tribe Pachybrachini, a group known for their hardened, case-like elytra that protect the abdomen. The species is found in North America, with specific records from the southwestern United States including Arizona.
Pachybrachis wenzeli
case-bearing leaf beetle
Pachybrachis wenzeli is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found primarily in North America. The species belongs to a genus known for larvae that construct protective cases from their own fecal material. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Pachybrachis xanti
Split-neck Creosote Pachy
Pachybrachis xanti is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is commonly known as the "Split-neck Creosote Pachy" and has been documented in North America and Middle America. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, it carries a protective case constructed from fecal material and exuviae.
Pachybrunneus
Pachybrachis brunneus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is found in North America. As a member of the genus Pachybrachis, it belongs to a group of small leaf beetles commonly known as scriptured leaf beetles, recognized for their often intricate elytral patterns.
Paranapiacaba connexa
Twin-Shield Leaf Beetle
Paranapiacaba connexa is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The common name "Twin-Shield Leaf Beetle" refers to its distinctive elytral pattern. Like other members of its family, it is herbivorous and feeds on plant foliage.
Parasyrphus
Bristleside Flies
Parasyrphus is a genus of hoverflies (Syrphidae) comprising 31 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Adults are small to medium-sized (5.6–11 mm) with characteristic yellow abdominal markings. The genus exhibits notable larval trophic diversity: most known larvae are aphid predators on trees, while at least two species (P. nigritarsis and P. melanderi) are specialist predators of leaf beetle eggs and larvae. This dietary specialization is unusual among syrphid flies and involves sophisticated chemical ecology where predators exploit prey defensive secretions as foraging cues.
Paratriarius dorsatus
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Paratriarius dorsatus is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a genus of leaf beetles characterized by their skeletonizing feeding behavior on plant foliage. Very little specific biological information is documented for this particular species.
Paria arizonensis
Paria arizonensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Wilcox in 1957. It is found in North America. The genus Paria comprises multiple species of leaf beetles, though specific details about the biology and ecology of P. arizonensis remain poorly documented in published literature.
Paria fragariae-complex
Paria fragariae-complex is a species complex of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. Members of this complex are associated with strawberry (Fragaria) and related plants. The complex designation indicates taxonomic uncertainty, with multiple cryptic or poorly differentiated species grouped under this name. These beetles are part of the subfamily Eumolpinae, a group of small to medium-sized leaf beetles often associated with specific host plants.
Paria opacicollis
oak parium
Paria opacicollis, commonly known as the oak parium, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. The species occurs in North America and includes two recognized subspecies: P. o. opacicollis and P. o. wenzeli. As a member of the genus Paria, it belongs to a group of small leaf beetles often associated with woody vegetation.
Paria pratensis
Paria pratensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It is found in the eastern United States and eastern Canada, with confirmed records from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and the eastern United States. The species has been documented feeding on the prairie rose (Rosa setigera), though its full host range remains incompletely known. Like other members of the genus Paria, it likely feeds on foliage of its host plants.
Paria quadriguttata
Willow Paria, willow parium
Paria quadriguttata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the willow parium. The species occurs in Central and North America. As a member of the genus Paria, it is associated with willow hosts (Salix spp.), though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Paria quadrinotata
Four-marked Oval Leaf Beetle
Paria quadrinotata is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is native to North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Québec) and the United States (Vermont). The common name "Four-marked Oval Leaf Beetle" refers to its characteristic color pattern. As a member of the genus Paria, it belongs to a group of small, oval leaf beetles associated with foliage feeding.
Paria thoracica
Paria thoracica is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada and the United States. The species was first described by Melsheimer in 1847. As a member of the genus Paria, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles that feed on plant foliage.
Paria virginiae
Paria virginiae is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Wilcox in 1957. The species is known to occur in North America. As a member of the genus Paria, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles whose members are typically associated with feeding on plant foliage. Very few specific details about its biology, host associations, or ecology have been documented in the available literature.
Paropsis atomaria
Dotted Paropsine Leaf Beetle
Paropsis atomaria is a leaf beetle in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, native to eastern Australia. The species name 'atomaria' refers to its speckled or freckled appearance. It has become an economically significant pest of Eucalyptus plantations in Queensland and New South Wales, and has been introduced to the west coast of North America. Females produce up to 600 eggs, deposited at leaf or twig tips. The species typically completes two generations per summer across most of its range.
Paropsisterna
leaf beetles, eucalyptus leaf beetles
Paropsisterna is a genus of chrysomelid leaf beetles containing over 120 species native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Many species exhibit bright aposematic coloration and feed on Myrtaceae, particularly Eucalyptus. Several species have become invasive pests in New Zealand and Europe, causing significant defoliation of eucalypt plantations and ornamental trees. The genus was redefined in 2006 to include species formerly placed in Chrysophtharta and other genera.
Paropsisterna m-fuscum
Eucalyptus Leaf Beetle
Paropsisterna m-fuscum is a small leaf beetle in the subfamily Chrysomelinae, native to Australia and now invasive in California, USA. It has become a significant forestry pest, particularly on Blue Gum eucalyptus. The species can reach high population densities and causes defoliation damage. Both adults and larvae feed on eucalyptus foliage.
Parorectis arenaria
Parorectis arenaria is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Riley in 2020. The specific epithet 'arenaria' (Latin for 'of sand') suggests an association with sandy habitats. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited. It belongs to a genus within the diverse leaf beetle family, whose members are primarily herbivorous and often associated with specific host plants.
Parorectis callosa
Parorectis callosa is a species of tortoise beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae. First described by Boheman in 1854, this beetle is known from North America. Tortoise beetles in this genus are characterized by their distinctive domed, tortoise-like body shape and association with host plants.
Pentispa distincta
Pentispa distincta is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae. Adults measure 4.5-5.2 mm in length. The species occurs in Texas (USA), Mexico, and Guatemala. Adults have been collected on Eupatorium azureum, though the specific food plant remains unknown.
Percolaspis
Percolaspis is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae. The genus is distributed across South America and Central America, with occasional records from southern Florida. Several species have significant agricultural importance, particularly as pests of cacao and field crops in Brazil.
Phaedon
Phaedon is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Chrysomelinae. Species in this genus are associated with feeding on plant foliage, with some species documented as agricultural pests. The genus has been recorded across Europe and Asia, with at least one species, P. brassicae, known from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Members are small to medium-sized beetles typical of the Chrysomelidae family.
Phaedon desotonis
desoto leaf beetle, coreopsis leaf beetle
Phaedon desotonis is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It has been observed in large populations on Coreopsis species in central Georgia, where it was previously considered rare. The species completes one generation per year, with peak larval abundance in April and greatest adult numbers in May.
Phaedon laevigatus
watercress leaf beetle
Phaedon laevigatus, commonly known as the watercress leaf beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. It is associated with watercress and related plants in the family Brassicaceae. The specific epithet 'laevigatus' refers to the smooth or polished appearance of the elytra.
Phaedon viridis
watercress leaf beetle
Phaedon viridis, commonly known as the watercress leaf beetle, is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and has been documented across multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The species is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats where its host plants grow.
Phratora
Phratora is a genus of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) distributed across the Northern Hemisphere in cool, moist regions where their host plants occur. The genus is synonymous with Phyllodecta. Species in this genus feed primarily on willows (Salix), poplars (Populus), or birch (Betula), with host plant associations showing evolutionary conservation—closely related beetle species tend to feed on closely related plant species. European species are difficult to distinguish by external morphology alone and require examination of female genitalia for reliable identification. Several species, particularly Phratora vulgatissima, are economically significant pests of short-rotation coppice willow plantations.
Phratora americana
Phratora americana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with records from Ontario, Quebec, and high elevations in the eastern United States. The species feeds on willow species (Salix) and exhibits variable coloration ranging from purple to blue or blue-green. Two subspecies are recognized: Phratora americana americana and Phratora americana canadensis.
Phratora hudsonia
birch leaf beetle
Phratora hudsonia is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the birch leaf beetle. It is found in North America, with documented populations in Ontario, Canada, as well as Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The species feeds exclusively on birch leaves and has been the subject of biological study focusing on its seasonal occurrence, habits, and immature stages.
Phyllecthris dorsalis
Leaf beetle
Phyllecthris dorsalis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It has been recorded from the eastern United States. The species is associated with Fabaceae host plants, specifically Amorpha and Desmodium species.
Phyllobrotica
skeletonizing leaf beetles, flea beetles
Phyllobrotica is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing at least 18 described species in North America. Members are small, often brightly colored beetles known as skeletonizing leaf beetles and flea beetles. Most North American species are extreme host specialists, feeding almost exclusively on plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae), particularly genera Scutellaria and Stachys. One species, P. physostegiae, has been documented on Physostegia, representing an unusual host transfer to a related mint family genus in dry prairie habitats.
Phyllobrotica costipennis
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Phyllobrotica costipennis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was described by George Henry Horn in 1893. It is recorded from North America, though specific details about its distribution, host plants, and biology remain poorly documented compared to congeners. Like other Phyllobrotica species, it likely exhibits strong host plant specialization.