Tiny Leaf Beetle - Ophraella communa

Moved

… Charley Eiseman, 19 March, 2009 - 1:52pm

Ophraella communa

I won't say without a doubt O. communa, because there's always a cause for doubt, but O. communa it is. O. bilineata is, according to LeSage, "a western species occurring in the Canadian Prairies . . . to Colorado." O. communa should be a ubiquitous species because LeSage lists common ragweed as a host, yet I've only found it on the native perennial ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya (in press). Long story made short - sandy habitat.

Nice live picture.

… Scott Sauer, 19 January, 2009 - 1:12pm

Ophraella images.

Thanks, Scott. The Lesage reference re range does exclude O. bilineata. Good enough for me. As you say, O. communa it is.
However, I note that of the three individual specimens currently identified on BugGuide as O.bilineata, two are from Maryland.

… Charles S. Matson, 19 March, 2009 - 10:52am

Might be

worth posting that observation to the possible misidentifications forum, if you're saying those beetles are well outside of their known range.

… Charley Eiseman, 19 March, 2009 - 1:55pm

Thanks, Charley

Thanks,Charley, for the comments and move.
I think I will continue to rely on experts and editors for questioning BugGuide IDs made by others.

… Charles S. Matson, 24 March, 2009 - 12:14am

Not an expert but...

had you given any consideration to Ophraella communa?

I also cropped your image a little. It helps to have the insect as big as possible for the viewers.

… Ron M., 8 September, 2008 - 9:00pm

Ophraella

Thank you, Ron, for your comment and suggestion. I did consider O. communa and think that may well be correct, but I was impressed with the match to O. bilineata here.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/118880/313315
I don't know how to choose between them based on the info in BugGuide.
I hope some authority does determine the ID because either of them may be a first record for NJ, and that's always fun.

… Charles S. Matson, 23 September, 2008 - 9:51pm

Plant species?

I just read that each species feeds on a different species of plant in the aster family, so if you have a photo that shows more of the plant, that might suggest a species ID.

… Charley Eiseman, 10 January, 2009 - 7:38pm