Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Genus erected in 1836 by
Louis Alexandre Auguste Chevrolat (1799-1884), a French entomologist.
Numbers
36 spp. recognized north of Mex
(1)
Nearctica.com lists 35 North American species in genus
Identification
Large for flea beetles. Elytra usually striped. Angular hind corners of pronotum.
(2)
For incomplete key to spp., see Blake (1933).
Range
Combined range throughout U.S. and southern Canada
(1)Food
Feed on a diverse array of plants
(1)
Most species feed on weeds.
(2)Life Cycle
Larvae are folivorous and are frequently found in association with adults on their food plants.
(1)Print References
Blake, D.H. 1930. Synonymies of Antillean Chrysomelidae, with descriptions of new species. Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society 25: 209–223.
Blake, Doris Holmes. 1933. Revision of the Beetles of the Genus Disonycha Occurring in America North of Mexico. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 82(28): 1-66, pls. 1-8.
Blake, D.H. 1951. New Species of Chrysomelid Beetles of the genera Trirhabda and Disonycha. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 41(10): 324-328.
Blake, D.H. 1957. A note on two chrysomelid beetles. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 59: 278.
Blake, D.H. 1970. Notes on Some Chrysomelid Beetles from the United States and Argentina. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 72: 320-324.
Dillon, pp. 706-707, plage LXXII, describes several species
(3)
Papp, p. 247, figs. 809-812
(4)
Internet References
North Carolina State Entomology Collection lists 12 species with specimens from that state.
