Caroline S. Chaboo

First Report of Immatures, Genitalia and Maternal Care in Eugenysa columbiana (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Eugenysini)

Abstract Illustrated descriptions of larvae, pupae and adult genitalia are provided for Eugenysa columbiana (Boheman) in Costa Rica. These represent the first such descriptions for the tribe Eugenysini. Females are reported as exhibiting guarding of larvae and pupae. Male presence with the female and larval group is also described. The distribution range is extended to Peru, and host plant data is recorded. A new character from the spermatheca is presented and its potential usefulness in deducing eugenysine relationships is discussed.

Defensive Behaviors in Leaf Beetles: From the Unusual to the Weird

Chrysomelid leaf beetles are a geologically ancient group of primarily herbivorous insects. As herbivores, they are important ecologically, in food chains, and economically, as pests or as bio-controls in agriculture. This paper reviews some of the interesting defenses they show in relation to living exposed on plants. Gregariousness and subsocial behaviors (maternal guarding) in two groups of chrysomelids help individuals to survive predators and parasites. Larvae, and sometimes eggs, may be covered with feces to avoid detection or to deter attacks. Sequestering noxious chemicals from host plants is another strategy for survival. Some chrysomelids maintain some chemicals that are so toxic, that in Bushmen tribes in southern Africa use the beetles as a source of poisons for their hunting arrows.

Origins and diversification of subsociality in leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Chrysomelinae)

Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae; ~40,000 species) are commonly solitary animals but subsociality, maternal care of broods, is known in Cassidinae and Chrysomelinae. We report 11 novel records from Brazil and Peru, bringing the number of subsocial chrysomelids to 35 species in 10 genera. Two evolutionary models of chrysomelid subsociality have been proposed. One proposed three independent origins within Chrysomelinae, based on the potential phylogenetic positions of subsocial genera. The other hypothesised that an evolutionary arms race between chrysomelid prey and their predators, parasites, and parasitoids has led to an escalation of defences. Using our phylogenies, we propose that subsociality originated independently in Cassidinae and Chrysomelinae, and several times within each subfamily. Subsociality was preceded by particular behaviours. In Cassidinae, exophagous larvae with chemically offensive faecal weaponry preceded aggregated living, group defences (e.g. cycloalexy), and maternal guarding. In Chrysomelinae, offensive glandular compounds preceded ovi- and viviparity before subsociality.

Revision and Phylogenetic Analysis of Acromis Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Stolaini)

Abstract The cassidine genus Acromis Chevrolat is revised. A key for identification of adults, illustrated descriptions and extensive distribution data for the three species are provided. Eggs and mature larvae of A. spinifex (Linnaeus) are redescribed. A cladistic analysis of species based on 19 morphological characters is done using the stolaine genera Omaspides Chevrolat and Echoma Chevrolat, as well as Delocrania cossyphoides Guerin (Delocraniini) and Himatidium capense Herbst (Imatidiini) as outgroups. The resulting single most parsimonious tree (steps = 20; CI = 87; RI = 90) provides strong support for resolution within Acromis. Biological implications are discussed in light of the cladogram.

Biology of Blepharida-group flea beetles with first notes on natural history of Podontia congregata Baly, 1865 an endemic flea beetle from southern India (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)

Abstract The biology, host plants, and pest status of Podontia Dalman, 1824 species are reviewed. Natural history of Podontia congregata Baly, 1865 a flea beetle endemic to southern India, is reported for the first time. It is distributed from the Western Ghats Mountains westward to the plains. Clusiaceae is reported as a new host plant family for Blepharida-group species, with Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N. Robson (Clusiaceae) as the host plant for Podontia congregata. Pentatomid bugs attack the larvae but not eggs, pupae, or adults. A new egg parasitoid species, Ooencyrtus keralensis Hayat and Prathapan, 2010 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), was discovered. Aspects of Podontia congregata host selection, life cycle, and larval fecal defenses are consistent with its inclusion in the Blepharida-genus group.

Maternally inherited architecture in tertiary leaf beetles: paleoichnology of cryptocephaline fecal cases in Dominican and Baltic amber

Complex ethological adaptations and intraspecific interactions leave few fossil traces. We document three Dominican (20 million years old [myo]) and Baltic (45 myo) amber fossils that exhibit firm evidence of highly integrated interactions between mothers and offspring in the diverse camptosomate lineage of beetles (Chrysomelidae, leaf beetles). As in contemporary species, these hard cases were initially constructed by mothers, then inherited and retained by offspring, which then elaborate this protective domicile with an unusual but economical building material, their feces. The three fossils are classified in the Subfamily Cryptocephalinae; two are classified in the tribe Chlamisini based on morphological evidence—the flattened head lacking a sharp keel and long legs with simple recurved untoothed claws. These diagnostic features are not clearly visible in the third specimen to permit more refined identification. These fossils provide more precise paleontological dating of tribal nodes within the cryptocephaline radiation of leaf beetles. These fossils are the first and earliest evidence of mother–offspring interaction, building behavior, and fecal recycling in Camptosomata beetles and of inheritance of architectural structures in beetles.

Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Ptinidae Latreille, 1802

ABSTRACT: A checklist of the ptinid beetles (including Anobiidae) of Peru is presented with 5 subfamilies, 22 genera, and 33 identified species. One species, Calymmaderus funki Pic, is reported as a new country record. Six genera are reported as new records for Peru (i.e. Byrrhodes, Caenocara, Mirosternus, Petalium, and Cryptorama), however, species within these genera are not yet identified. This contribution is part of the ‘Beetles of Peru’ project.

Eocene tortoise beetles from the Green River Formation in Colorado, U.S.A. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae).

Abstract The fossil history of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) is relatively poorly documented despite an abundance of available material. Of particular interest is the origin and radiation of the diverse tortoise beetles, a derived group within Cassidinae s.l. (=Cassidinae + Hispinae) defined by the exophagous life history and specialized morphology of the immature stages. Cassidinae is also a group with relatively few fossil records that can be assigned with any degree of certainty. Here we report two of the oldest definitive tortoise beetle fossils, Eosacantha delocranioidesgen.n. et sp.n. and Denaeaspis chelonopsisgen.n. et sp.n., from the Eocene Green River Formation (ca. 47 million years old) in northwestern Colorado, U.S.A. Owing to the fine level of preservation, many important features can be observed and are coded into the recent cladistic analysis for the subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis highlights that both genera have affinities with modern lineages, one restricted to the Old World and the other restricted to the Neotropics. Although Cassidinae as a whole extend into the Cretaceous, the available information suggests that the tortoise beetles perhaps originated and diversified during the Early Tertiary. As such, the morphological and biological transitions from the leaf‐mining hispiforms to the distinctive tortoise‐like cassidiforms, with their elaborate defensive larval shields and other unique behaviours, probably took place during the latest Paleocene or earliest Eocene. These Green River fossils are the oldest yet to document the specialized morphology associated with the transition in cassidine feeding and immature biology.

Revision and Phylogeny of the Caribbean Genus ELYTROGONA Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Stolaini)

Abstract The genus Elytrogona Chevrolat is redefined. Stoiba decemmaculata Blake is a junior synonym of E. bulla Boheman, and E. interjecta Boheman is a junior synonym of E. quatuordecimmaculata Latreille, new synonymies. A key to the species of Elytrogona and distributional records are provided. A cladistic analysis is presented using Stoiba swartzii Boheman, S. bruneri Blake, Basipta stolida Boheman (Basiptini) and Asteriza flavicornis Olivier (Asterizini) as outgroups. Results indicated that brachyptery preceeded wing loss. The origin and subsequent radiation of the genus were less clear given the complex geology of the Greater Antilles.

Beetle and plant arrow poisons of the Ju|’hoan and Hai||om San peoples of Namibia (Insecta, Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae; Plantae, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Burseraceae)

Abstract The use of archery to hunt appears relatively late in human history. It is poorly understood but the application of poisons to arrows to increase lethality must have occurred shortly after developing bow hunting methods; these early multi-stage transitions represent cognitive shifts in human evolution. This paper is a synthesis of widely-scattered literature in anthropology, entomology, and chemistry, dealing with San (“Bushmen”) arrow poisons. The term San (or Khoisan) covers many indigenous groups using so-called ‘click languages’ in southern Africa. Beetles are used for arrow poison by at least eight San groups and one non-San group. Fieldwork and interviews with Ju|’hoan and Hai||om hunters in Namibia revealed major differences in the nature and preparation of arrow poisons, bow and arrow construction, and poison antidote. Ju|’hoan hunters use leaf-beetle larvae of Diamphidia Gerstaecker and Polyclada Chevrolat (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) collected from soil around the host plants Commiphora africana (A. Rich.) Engl. and Commiphora angolensis Engl. (Burseracaeae). In the Nyae Nyae area of Namibia, Ju|’hoan hunters use larvae of Diamphidia nigroornata Ståhl. Larvae and adults live above-ground on the plants and eat leaves, but the San collect the underground cocoons to extract the mature larvae. Larval hemolymph is mixed with saliva and applied to arrows. Hai||om hunters boil the milky plant sap of Adenium bohemianum Schinz (Apocynaceae) to reduce it to a thick paste that is applied to their arrows. The socio-cultural, historical, and ecological contexts of the various San groups may determine differences in the sources and preparation of poisons, bow and arrow technology, hunting behaviors, poison potency, and perhaps antidotes.