Leaf Beetle - Neolema sexpunctata

A Leaf Beetle - probably Neolema sexpunctata

Neolema sexpunctata

This guide, while not finished, is excellent! The individual species accounts are very well done.

There are some similar looking Carabids, but the base of the pronotum is evenly rounded on those - this has the base wide, slightly pinched forward.

… Phillip Harpootlian, 2 March, 2005 - 12:21pm

Neolema sexpunctata

Phillip,

I agree with your det.

See the Texas page I've constructed for what I call the Six-spotted Neolema

Link has photo, US range map, list of hosts, biology note, and bibliography.

(The larval biology is actually quite fascinating.)

MQ, Austin

Texas Beetle Info
TexasEnto.net/beetles.htm

… Mike Quinn, 31 December, 2005 - 10:17pm

Leaf beetle

I am quite certain this is actually a leaf beetle in the genus Lema, family Chrysomelidae. I found these fairly commonly in Cincinnati, but only on one particular plant I never got an identity on. These can jump quite well, and are quick to flee. They do resemble certain Lebia sp. carabids.

… Eric R. Eaton, 24 January, 2005 - 3:06pm

From Paul Choate - (my beetle contact)

I double-checked and can see where I may have been too hasty in my ID. I am willing to accept a person's opinion who has familiarity with these. I do wish I could see a specimen because many of the Lema have carabids that are parasitic on them, and look virtually identical. They also have the Chrysomelid appearing tarsi, with bi-lobed segments as you can see in the photo. Other characters that would determine for certain are morphological and small that would require a microscope, but having wiggled around here I will be quick to admit that I can't say for sure without a body, and will defer to another's opinion.

… Lynette Schimming, 25 January, 2005 - 12:13pm

Defer elsewhere:-)

Paul is a pretty reliable expert, and I do not have any initials after my name, so I'm going by the image only. Here is another case where voucher specimens would be helpful. On the plus side, if it is a chrysomelid, you should be able to easily find more in the same spot this year, since they are so closely tied to their food plants.

… Eric R. Eaton, 25 January, 2005 - 3:40pm

Food Plant

Unfortunately, its food plant is being bulldozed as we speak. I don't think I will be finding it in that location this year. I will, however, be keeping my eyes open for it elsewhere.

… Lynette Schimming, 25 January, 2005 - 3:49pm

Hmmm

Very interesting. I am going to send that info to my contact and see what he thinks. Thanks.

… Lynette Schimming, 24 January, 2005 - 4:41pm

Probably not a new native one

I believe the beetle fauna for the US has been well determined at this point. I read an article sometime back about a new beetle species being discovered and the article mentioned that it had been some time since a new one was discovered and that it was unexpected. The thing was that it was discovered by looking over museum specimens and deciding that something was different than had been determined previously.

It could be something nonnative that was accidently introduced. It's pretty and distinctive whatever it is.

… Troy Bartlett, 23 January, 2005 - 10:26am