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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #400831
Research Project: Systematics of Beetles, Flies, Moths and Wasps with an Emphasis on Agricultural Pests, Invasive Species, Biological Control Agents, and Food Security

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Observations of feeding damage of some Turkish leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) with new masquerade and host plant records

Author
item Konstantinov, Alexander - Alex
item GULTEKIN, LEVENT - Ataturk University
item GULTEKIN, NESLIHAN - Igdir University

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Biodiversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/25/2022
Publication Date: 1/9/2023
Citation: Konstantinov, A.S., Gultekin, L., Gultekin, N. 2023. Observations of feeding damage of some Turkish leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) with new masquerade and host plant records. Journal of Insect Biodiversity. 37(2):40-47. https://doi.org/10.12976/jib/2023.37.2.1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12976/jib/2023.37.2.1

Interpretive Summary: Leaf beetles, especially flea beetles, are among the most important insects for U.S. agriculture. Many are serious pests and feed on crops destroying valuable plants costing millions of dollars annually. Others are important biological control agents that can be used to control unwanted and invasive weeds. This work documents observations of a special leaf beetle mimicry in which beetles, while feeding, make holes in leaf surfaces of their host plants, which approximate beetle bodies in size and color, which helps beetles to avoid predators. In addition, new host plants are recorded for three species of flea beetles. This study will be useful to biological control workers, taxonomists, ecologists, and anyone interested in plant feeding beetles and their interaction with host plants.

Technical Abstract: Twenty-three observations of leaf beetles and their feeding damage is reported. Masquerade is found in 15 observations. In 12 observations dark colored beetles were making obvious dark colored damage. Light colored beetles of three species were observed making light colored damage. Masquerade in Chrysomelinae is reported here for the first time. In Galerucinae, masquerade is recorded for the first time for the species of Calomicrus Stephens and Orthocrepis Weise. New host plants are recorded for: Longitarsus hittita Biondi - Anchusa azurea Mill.; Longitarsus audisioi Biondi - Symphytum asperum Lepech.; and Chaetocnema tibialis (Illiger) - Chenopodium rubrum L.