Montane-ecology
Guides
Chrysomela
leaf beetles
Chrysomela is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing approximately 40 species distributed across most continents except Australia. The genus is notable for its chemical defense mechanisms, with larvae producing volatile compounds derived from host plant chemistry. Several species are economically significant, including the cottonwood leaf beetle (C. scripta) in North America. Research on Chrysomela species has contributed to understanding plant-herbivore interactions, local adaptation, and chemical ecology.