Shawn M. Clark

Annotated List of the Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of Kentucky: Subfamily Cassidinae

Abstract An examination of leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the largest beetle collections in Kentucky, recent inventory work in state nature preserves and other protected areas, and a review of the literature revealed 59 species of Cryptocephalinae present in Kentucky, 27 of which were previously unreported for the state. Distribution maps and label data are presented for the 59 Kentucky species, including spatial (state and Kentucky county records), temporal (years and months of collection in Kentucky), and plant association information. The following species are reported from Kentucky for the first time: Griburius scutellaris (F.), Pachybrachis bivittatus (Say), Pachybrachis confusus Bowditch, Pachybrachis diversus Fall, Pachybrachis hepaticus hepaticus (F. E. Melsheimer), Pachybrachis luridus (F.), Pachybrachis morosus Haldeman, Pachybrachis obsoletus Suffrian, Pachybrachis othonus othonus (Say), Pachybrachis peccans Suffrian, Pachybrachis pectoralis (F. E. Melsheimer), Pachybrachis praeclarus Weise, Pachybrachis spumarius Suffrian, Pachybrachis trinotatus (F. E. Melsheimer), Pachybrachis viduatus (F.), Bassareus lituratus (F.), Cryptocephalus calidus Suffrian, Cryptocephalus fulguratus J. L. LeConte, Cryptocephalus gibbicollis decrescens R. White, Cryptocephalus mutabilis F. E. Melsheimer, Cryptocephalus notatus F., Cryptocephalus striatulus J. L. LeConte, Diachus catarius (Suffrian), Diachus chlorizans (Suffrian), Triachus atomus (Suffrian), Coleopthorpa dominicana franciscana (J. L. LeConte), and Neochlamisus gibbosus (F.).

Annotated List of the Subfamilies Donaciinae and Criocerinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

ABSTRACT An examination of leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the five largest beetle collections in Kentucky, recent inventory work in state nature preserves, and a review of the literature revealed four species of the subfamily Donaciinae and eleven species of Criocerinae present in Kentucky, six of which are new state records. Distribution maps and label data are presented for fifteen Kentucky species of the subfamilies Donaciinae and Criocerinae, including spatial (state and Kentucky county records), temporal (years and months of collection in Kentucky), and plant association information. The following species are reported from Kentucky for the first time: Donacia limonia Schaeffer, Crioceris duodecimpunctata (Linnaeus), Neolema cordata White, N. ovalis White, Oulema collaris (Say), and O. sayi (Crotch).

A Remarkable Teratological Specimen of Pseudoluperus longulus (Leconte) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Utah, U.S.A.

The word teratology is derived from the Greek térae, meaning monster (among other things). Hence, the strict translation of teratology is the study of monsters. However, in modern biological usage, this term refers to the study ofmalformations, defects, and abnormalities. Nichols (1989) defined teratology as “the study of structural abnormalities, especially monstrosities and malformations”. Teratological insects, although not common, are familiar to taxonomic entomologists. Among thousands of specimens examined, there are almost always a few abnormal individuals. Such specimens are often not reported, as they have no taxonomic significance. However, the abnormalities are sometimes so dramatic that they practically demand publication. Beyond being mere curiosities, they are scientifically important. Some abnormalities are coded in theDNA and are transferable to subsequent generations.Mutant colonies are especially useful in experimentation. Other malformations have no genetic basis and are often triggered by environmental factors. Even these are scientifically important, as they sometimes provide insight into ontogeny. Conceivably, they could also provide warnings of harmful environmental contaminants. Cockayne (1937) appropriately stated that “it seems advisable to publish descriptions –with plates illustrating the nature – of the abnormality in each case”. Glasgow (1925) elaborated on this concept: “Every entomologist who has examined carefully any considerable amount of insect material must have observed some specimens which presented noteworthy abnormalities that should be recorded in the literature of biology, and thus made available for consideration by investigators who may have a special interest in these phenomena.” He further noted that an interpretation of the abnormality is not always necessary or even desirable. These statements are as valid today as they were at the times they were given. Savini and Furth (2004), in their discussion of malformation in Coleoptera generally and in Chrysomelidae specifically, reiterated the importance of reporting abnormalities, stating that some cases present insight into the influences of environment on insect development. In comparison to teratological reports for some other insect groups, those for the Chrysomelidae are rather infrequent. They are nonetheless numerous. Examples of these reports are presented in Table 1. In the insect collection of the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum at Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah, U.S.A.), there are two female specimens of Pseudoluperus longulus (LeConte) labeled “Cedar Valley Environs, Clive Jorgensen Collector”. The country, state, county, and date are not given. However, the collector has reported that these specimens certainly came from entomological surveys that he conducted in 1953 at two sites in Utah County, Utah (C. D. Jorgensen, personal communication). The first site was in an open area of Cedar Valley, about 3.2 km north of the southern end of the valley. The second site was at the north end of Cedar Valley, near the entrance to Tickville Gulch. The specimens also bear the field numbers CJ 1736 and CJ 1737, but C. D. Jorgensen (personal communication) reported that the corresponding field notebook has long been lost. One of the Cedar Valley specimens, the one labeled CJ 1737, is normal (Fig. 1). The two compound eyes are located laterally, and the interocular distance is clearly greater than half the width of the head. The standard features of the head, including the frontal tubercles and interantennal carina, are well formed. In contrast, the other specimen, the one labeled CJ 1736, is remarkably malformed (Fig. 2). The head is slightly narrower than normal, and the external surface consists almost entirely of a single holoptic eye. This eye entirely covers the areas that would normally be occupied by the vertex and frontal tubercles. The antennae are inserted abnormally close to each other, and the area normally occupied by the broadly convex interantennal carina is abnormally elevated into a very abrupt, prominent tubercle. The distal portion of the head, including the mouthparts, appears to be normal. The thorax, abdomen, and appendages also appear normal, although the tibia and tarsus of the left mesothoracic leg and the distal portions of both antennae are missing. We thank Richard W. Baumann (Brigham Young University) who read an early draft of the manuscript and offered useful suggestions. This research was partially supported by a Mentoring Environment Grant from the Office of Research and Creative Activities at Brigham Young University.

Annotated List of the Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of Kentucky: Subfamily Galerucinae, Tribe Alticini

Abstract An examination of leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the largest beetle collections in Kentucky, recent inventory work in state nature preserves and other protected areas, and a review of the literature revealed eighty-four species of the tribe Alticini (Subfamily Galerucinae) present in Kentucky, forty-five of which are unreported previously for the state. Distribution maps and label data are presented for the eighty-four Kentucky species including spatial (state and Kentucky county records), temporal (years and months of collection in Kentucky), and plant association information. The following species are reported from Kentucky for the first time: Blepharida rhois (Forster), Luperaltica senilis (Say), Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), Ceraltica insolita (Melsheimer), Glyptina brunnea Horn, Glyptina cyanipennis (Crotch), Glyptina spuria LeConte, Longitarsus acutipennis Blatchley, Longitarsus arenaceus Blatchley, Longitarsus melanurus (Melsheimer), Longitarsus pratensis (Panzer), Longitarsus testaceus (Melsheimer), Systena frontalis (F.), Systena hudsonias (Forster), Altica chalybea Illiger, Altica knabii Blatchley, Altica litigata Fall, Orthaltica copalina (F.), Orthaltica melina Horn, Epitrix humeralis Dury, Margaridisa atriventris (Melsheimer), Mantura floridana Crotch, Chaetocnema fuscata R. White, Chaetocnema quadricollis Schwarz, Disonycha admirabila Blatchley, Disonycha alternata (Illiger), Disonycha arizonae Casey, Disonycha caroliniana (F.), Disonycha fumata fumata (LeConte), Disonycha leptolineata Blatchley, Lupraea picta (Say), Parchicola iris (Olivier), Parchicola tibialis (Olivier), Capraita circumdata (Randall), Capraita scalaris (Melsheimer), Capraita sexmaculata (Illiger), Capraita subvittata (Horn), Kuschelina fimbriata (Forster), Kuschelina gibbitarsa (Say), Kuschelina miniata (F.), Kuschelina perplexa (Blake), Kuschelina suturella (Say), Dibolia sinuata Horn, Pseudodibolia opima (LeConte), and Psylliodes punctulatus Melsheimer.

Annotated List of the Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) of Kentucky: Subfamily Galerucinae, Tribes Galerucini and Luperini

Abstract An examination of leaf beetle specimens (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the largest beetle collections in Kentucky, recent inventory work in state nature preserves and other protected areas, and a review of the literature revealed thirty species of the tribes Galerucini and Luperini (Subfamily Galerucinae) present in Kentucky, thirteen of which are previously unreported for the state. Distribution maps and label data are presented for the thirty Kentucky species including spatial (state and Kentucky county records), temporal (years and months of collection in Kentucky), and plant association information. The following species are reported from Kentucky for the first time: Derospidea brevicollis (LeConte), Monocesta coryli (Say), Trirhabda canadensis (Kirby), Galerucella nymphaeae (L.), Ophraella americana (F.), Ophraella cribrata (LeConte), Acalymma gouldi Barber, Acalymma vinctum (LeConte), Phyllecthris dorsalis (Olivier), Phyllecthris gentilis LeConte, Phyllobrotica limbata (F.), Phyllobrotica stenidea Schaeffer, and Metroidea brunnea (Crotch).

Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae (Not Including Alticini)

Diversity in Peru: 3 tribes, 45 genera, 270 species. Classification: The tribal arrangement recognized herein generally follows that of Seeno and Wilcox (1982), the major exception being that the flea beetles are currently regarded as the tribe Alticini in Galerucinae on morphological and molecular findings (Lingafelter and Konstantinov, 1999; Ge et al., 2012) and as a subfamily rank (Furth, pers. commun.). This exception is nearly irrelevant with the current section, as the flea beetles are being treated separately within the Beetles of Peru series (Furth et al., 2015). Recognition: Galerucinae may be distinguished from other chrysomelid subfamilies using the characters presented by Riley et al. (2002): “Body oval or oblong. Head exposed, easily visible from above, inserted into prothorax but without neck-like constriction at base; frontal tubercles present behind antennal insertions, delimited posteriorly by more or less distinct, transverse, interocular groove; eyes of most entire; antennae of most shorter than body, filiform or clavate, not capitate, composed of 11 (only 10 in a few) freely articulated antennomeres; some antennomeres occasionally enlarged and modified in male; antennal insertions on frons between eyes, narrowly separated from each other. Pronotum truncate or emarginate in front; lateral bead present in most. Tarsi 5-5-5, pseudotetramerous, the fourth tarsomere being very small; tarsomere 3 with ventral, setose, bilobed pad; tarsal setae not bifid.” Tribes: Four galerucine tribes occur in Peru. Alticini (not treated herein) are generally characterized by swollen hind femora; enlarged muscles and a specialized apodeme within the femur enable jumping. Genitalia are important in classifying the other three tribes. Galerucini and Metacyclini have well-developed, recurved basal spurs on the aedeagus, while Luperini do not. The antennae of Galerucini are inserted abnormally low on the head, usually beyond the middle of the eyes. The dorsal surface of many (but not all) Galerucini is densely pubescent, while the dorsal surface of Metacyclini and Luperini is glabrous or at most sparsely pubescent (as in Acalymma). There are also tribal differences in the larval behavior, indicated below. Habits: The subfamily Galerucinae has been associated with a wide variety of plants. A few species are rather polyphagous, but most are relatively host specific. Adults feed on leaves or unusually on flowers. Larvae of Galerucini similarly feed on leaves. The few known larvae of Metacyclini have also been found on foliage. However, those of Luperini are subterranean root-feeders. The larval habits of Alticini are varied, some species feeding on foliage and others on roots. Pests in Peru: As outlined in the Introduction to this series, Peru has a long and rich history of agriculture. Thus, there may be many chrysomelid pests of which we are unaware.

The First Report of Lupraea elongata (Jacoby, 1891) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) from the USA

Abstract Lupraea elongata (Jacoby, 1891), formerly known only from Mexico, is reported for the first time from Arizona, USA. The species is redescribed and illustrated.

Checklist of leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from the state of Morelos, Mexico

We record 116 genera and 366 species of Chrysomelidae from the state of Morelos, Mexico. This represents an increase of 9.3% in the species richness of these beetles for the state. Also, Morelos is currently the third most diverse state in leaf beetles within Mexico, with 16.78% of total species recorded for the country. The most diverse genera were Calligrapha, Disonycha, Blepharida, Leptinotarsa, Cryptocephalus, Systena, Alagoasa, Diabrotica and Pachybrachis, each with more than eight species. Most of these genera contain large, showy beetles. When the chrysomelid fauna is more fully understood, some of the genera of tiny beetles will likely prove to be more diverse.

Faunistic patterns of leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) within elevational and temporal gradients in Sierra de San Carlos, Mexico

Abstract The study of biodiversity of Chrysomelidae in Mexico and its variation within ecological gradients has increased recently, although important areas in the country remain to be explored. We conducted a faunistic inventory and analyzed the elevational and temporal variation of leaf beetle communities in the Sierra de San Carlos, in the state of Tamaulipas, in northeastern Mexico. This is an area with high to extreme priority for conservation, and due to its insular geographical position and to the vegetational communities present, it must be considered as a sky island. We selected seven sample sites distributed in different elevations within three localities, and comprising different vegetational communities. At each site, we randomly delimited 12 sample plots of 400 m2 where sampling was conducted by entomological sweep netting and collecting directly by hand. Sampling was conducted monthly at each plot, for a total of 1,008 samples between February 2013 and January 2014. By the end of the study, we had obtained a total of 3,081 specimens belonging to six subfamilies, 65 genera, and 113 species, with Trichaltica scabricula (Crotch, 1873) being recorded for first time in Mexico. Species richness was less than the values observed at other studies conducted in the same region, which is attributed to differences in the number of plant species and to the insular location of Sierra de San Carlos; however, the higher diversity values suggest a higher quality of natural resources and vegetational communities. No consistent pattern of leaf beetle communities was correlated with elevation, although higher values of species richness and diversity were obtained at the highest elevation site. The seasonal gradient showed that the rainy season is most favorable for leaf beetle communities. We found that species composition was different between sites and months, and also that there exists a significant association between the abundance obtained at each site and particular months. These results highlight the importance of different microhabitats for species distribution, and suggest that each species of Chrysomelidae has a differential response to environmental factors that vary within the elevational gradient and according to seasons. Also, we confirm and emphasize the important status of Sierra de San Carlos as a key natural area for biological conservation.

Review of the West Indian genus Monotalla Bechyné ( Coleoptera , Chrysomelidae , Galerucinae , Alticini ) with description of five new species

Abstract The West Indian genus Monotalla Bechyné is reviewed, redescribed and illustrated. Five new species are added: Monotalla dominica sp. n. (Dominica); Monotalla lecticofolia sp. n. (St. Lucia); Monotalla maierae sp. n. (St. Lucia); Monotalla obrienorum sp. n. (Grenada); and Monotalla viridis sp. n. (St. Lucia). A key to Monotalla species is provided.