Leaf beetle

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Leaf beetle
Leaf beetle

Leaf beetle

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Beetle (Coleoptera)
Subordination : Polyphaga
Partial order : Cucujiformia
Superfamily : Chrysomeloidea
Family : Leaf beetle
Scientific name
Chrysomelidae
Latreille , 1802
Paw beetle ( Timarcha tenebricosa )

The leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) form with around 50,000 currently described, most popular types a large family among the beetles . There are over 470 species in Germany alone. As herbivores , leaf beetles are often harmful, e.g. B. Colorado beetles , fleas , asparagus beetles , poplar leaf beetles or alder leaf beetles .

Burrow of leaf beetles

The adults of the leaf beetles are small to medium-sized, that is, their body size is between 1 and 18 millimeters. They usually have a curved, egg-shaped body and are often metallic or brightly colored. The head is rounded (without a trunk). The antennae are usually shorter, i.e. a maximum of half as long as the torso. The second antennae is of normal size (in contrast to the longhorn beetles that are closely related to them ). The antennae are more or less uniform, at most towards the tip they can gradually thicken. The first sensor element is, however, usually stronger than the following sensor elements. The eyes are also mostly round. The pronotum is rounded differently and only rarely bulges. The first three sternites are not fused, instead there are continuous separation seams. All leaf beetles have wings. The wings are seldom shortened and only leave the last tergite (pygidium) free. The splints ( tibia ) have at most one terminal mandrel, which is mostly drawn into the pronotum up to the eyes. The foot formula is apparently four-limbed, with a broad-lobed third limb. Most often leaf beetles are bald.

The larvae are elongated-cylindrical, often with warts or appendages.

Way of life

The adults mostly feed on leaves which they gnaw, skeletonize or perforate. The genus Oreina is widespread from montane to alpine, is relatively large (adults about 1 cm) and extremely colorful. Their colors shimmer like diamonds in the sunshine. Some species use the chrysomelidial named after the leaf beetles in their defense secretions .

Reproduction and larval development

The leaf beetles usually mate polygamously. The females lay their eggs one by one, in piles or in rows on their forage plants. The females of some genera, e.g. B. Phaedon , sink their eggs in gnawed holes or pits on leaves, stems and twigs. Females from other subfamilies, such as B. Clytrinae, Cassidinae and Cryptocephalinae, cover their eggs with a Kothülle ( Skatoconche ) to them from predators to protect. The Donaciinae form a special subfamily. These beetles live on aquatic plants both above and below the water . The eggs of the Donaciinae are wrapped in jelly and laid in rows on leaves above or below water. The larvae dig their heads into roots, stems or floating leaves and suck the sap in the process.

Subfamilies and species (selection)

Leaf beetle, Oreina cacaliae.
Lily of the valley chicken ( Lilioceris merdigera )
Lily pad beetle ( Galerucella nymphaeae ), REM

The Orsodacnidae and the Megalopodidae were recently spun off as a separate family. The Zeugophorinae are now a subfamily of the Megalopodidae.

literature

  • Stresemann, Erwin (1994): "Excursion Fauna of Germany: Invertebrate Insects - Part One". Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena: 8th edition, ISBN 3-334-60823-9 .
  • Schöller, Matthias (1996): “Ecology of Central European leaf beetles, seed beetles and weevils”. Self-published by EVCV, Bürs, ISBN 3-9500146-6-7 .

Web links

Commons : Leaf Beetles  - Collection of images, videos and audio files