Other Common Names
Downie's Spotted Leaf Beetle (DSLB)
Explanation of Names
Cryptocephalus downiei E. Riley & Gilbert
Species name honors the late Norville Downie, collector of the holotype and one paratype, in recognition of his contributions to the knowledge of North American Coleoptera (Riley & Gilbert 1999).
Identification
The stout body form, highly polished and weakly punctate dorsal surface as well as the unique color pattern will readily separate this species from all other Cryptocephalus found north of Mexico. (Riley & Gilbert 1999)
PARATYPE
Range
Kenedy (3 specimens) and San Patricio (1 specimen) counties s. TX -
Map (Riley & Gilbert 1999)
(2), + Cameron Co. (E.G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2015)
A few undetermined species seen from Mexico and Central America share the smooth surface, stout body, close eyes, and the sharply contrasting color pattern. (Riley & Gilbert 1999)
Season
April 7 through May 6 based on 4 specimens collected in 1961, 1978, and 1980(2) (Riley & Gilbert 1999)
Food
Specific plant associations remain unknown (Riley & Gilbert 1999).
(3)Remarks
Texas considers this sp. a SGCN
(4)See Also
lacks close relatives in our area (Riley & Gilbert 1999).
Print References
Riley, E.G. & A.J. Gilbert. 1999(2000). Three new species of Cryptocephalus Geoffroy from the United States and a new United States record (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Cryptocephalinae). Occasional Papers of the Consortium Coleopterorum 3(1): 30-35.
Contributed by
Mike Quinn on 20 February, 2009 - 9:33pm
Last updated 26 September, 2019 - 10:14am