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Species Calligrapha serpentina - Globemallow Leaf Beetle

Calligrapha serpentina (Rogers) - Calligrapha serpentina Calligrapha serpentina adult beetle - Calligrapha serpentina Genus Zygogramma? - Calligrapha serpentina Coleoptera-Chrysomelidae-Calligrapha serpentina - Calligrapha serpentina probable hairstreak caterpillars feeding on Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea sp.) - Calligrapha serpentina Calligrapha eggs, red eggs - Calligrapha serpentina
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga
No Taxon (Series Cucujiformia)
Superfamily Chrysomeloidea (Longhorn and Leaf Beetles)
Family Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
Subfamily Chrysomelinae
Tribe Chrysomelini
Subtribe Doryphorina
Genus Calligrapha
No Taxon (subgenus Calligrapha)
Species serpentina (Globemallow Leaf Beetle)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Calligrapha serpentina (Rogers)
Orig. Comb: Chrysomela serpentina Rogers 1856
Identification
Found on Mallows, pattern typical for genus, but details of pattern are fairly constant. Coloring varies from red to a striking light green (the green is an almost translucent metallic sheen over a yellowish to orange base). Differently colored individuals can often be found at one time in one population, but on average most individuals tend to be mostly the same color at one place and time. One generation is commonly a different color than the next.


Added observation from captive individuals - adults can change from one color to the other [David Ferguson, 9-12-22]
Range
s. CA to sw. TX / Mex. to C. Amer. - Map (1)(2)
Season
mostly July-Sept (BG data). At least two generations per season, first approximately late June to early August; second August to October (perhaps overlapping with a third in some regions?). Often with first generation composed primarily of green adult individuals with later generation(s) primarily red [personal observations, central New Mexico, David Ferguson].
Food
Reported from globemallows (Sphaeralcea, Malvaceae) (3), County Range Maps (4)
See Also
- Range: AZ to C. America
Works Cited
1.Catalog of Leaf Beetles of America North of Mexico
Ed Riley, Shawn Clark, and Terry Seeno. 2003. Coleopterists Society.
2.Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
3.Host plants of leaf beetle species occurring in the United States and Canada
Clark et al. 2004. Coleopterists Society, Special Publication no. 2, 476 pp.
4.North American Plant Atlas (NAPA)