Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Some species formerly listed under Pomphopaea.
Identification
Similar to
Epicauta, but lack patch of hair on underside of front femur
(1). Also,
Lytta has nearly bead-like (submoniliform) antennae
(2):
while Epicauta has more thread-like antennae:
Range
Most species in western United States.
Food
Adults eat foliage, flowers, pollen, and fruit. In the East they often show a preference for fruit trees and other members of the family Rosaceae.
Print References
White, pp. 273-274, fig. 118 (cf. fig. 117 showing leg of
Epicauta, plate 6--
L. nuttalli (1)
Dillon, p. 298, plate XXX, describes and illustrates, under,
Pomphopaea, aenea and sayi
(2).
Brimley,
Insects of North Carolina, lists, for that state, under genus
Pomphopaea: aenea (widespread, March-June), polita (coastal plain, April), unguicularis (mountains, May-June)
(3).
Downie and Arnett, page 1179, list three species in the northeast: L. aenea, L. sayi, and L. unguicularis
(4).
Internet References
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists for that state, with number pinned: aenea (50), polita (29), unguicularis (6)
Univ. Florida lists only L. polita, as does this
checklist for Florida.
