Leaf-mining-beetle
Guides
Octotoma
Octotoma is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) comprising approximately 11–12 described species. Members of this genus are leaf-mining beetles with documented associations to Lantana camara, an invasive weed. Several species, notably O. championi and O. scabripennis, have been extensively studied and employed as biological control agents. The genus exhibits a leaf-mining larval phase followed by free-living, leaf-chewing adults.