Labidomera suturella
Labidomera suturella, commonly known as the tropical milkweed leaf beetle is a species of beetle from the family Chrysomelidae.[1]
| Tropical milkweed leaf beetle | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Genus: | Labidomera |
| Species: | L. suturella |
| Binomial name | |
| Labidomera suturella | |
Description
L. suturella is a small, rounded beetle with a black head, pronotum, and elytra - the elytra are spotted with orange or yellow patches.
Distribution
L. suturella has a native range in Central and Southern America, from Northern Mexico to Brazil.[2]
Lifecycle
Adults are active between April and August.[3]
A study has shown that this species exhibits maternal care of larvae; they were observed guarding larvae whilst feeding on Witheringia heteroclita in Costa Rica[1] This was a response to predatory threats, as worker ants of Paraponera clavata were observed carrying larvae to their nest.[1]
Diet
As the common name suggests, L. suturella is primarily associated with milkweeds (Asclepias).
References
- Choe, J.C. (1989). "Maternal care in Labidomera suturella Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) from Costa Rica". Psyche: A Journal of Entomology. 96 (1–2): 63–68. doi:10.1155/1989/62318.
- Blackwelder, R.E. (1944–1957). "Checklist of the Coleopterous insects of Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America, part 4". Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 185.
- Quinn, M. (2006). "Tropical Milkweed Leaf Beetle". Texas Beetle Information. Retrieved 2017-07-21.