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Photo#292966
Leaf beetle 2 - Pachybrachis

Leaf beetle 2 - Pachybrachis
Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
June 23, 2009
Size: ~ 2.5 mm
Attracted to outdoor light. My best guess is Pachybrachis.

Images of this individual: tag all
Leaf beetle 2 - Pachybrachis Leaf beetle 2 - Pachybrachis Leaf beetle 2 - Pachybrachis

Moved
I am sure this in not P. m-nigrum.

Moved
Moved from Pachybrachis.

Pachybrachis identification
Indeed a Pachybrachis, apparently P. m-nigrum (Melsheimer). I just collected one 27 June 2009 by sweeping emergent sedges from a pond edge in Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. This species reportedly occurs on willow (Salix).

 
and how were your specimens IDed?
matched to a ref. collection? just wanna make sure, 'cuz this is a scary group to tackle

 
Re: and how were your specimens IDed?
You are right, Pachybrachis is a scary group! I am not an expert in this genus. I first compared my specimen with drawings of chrysomelids in Dillon & Dillon, A manual of common beetles of eastern North America. It closely matches Plate LXX, fig. 6 in coloration, size, and all markings; and matches the descriptions of Pachybrachis m-nigrum in Dillon & Dillon (p. 672), Blatchley (Coleoptera of Indiana, p. 1128), and Downie & Arnett (The beetles of northeastern North America, p. 1318) in its size, punctation, color, markings, and range. Actually keying it in Downie & Arnett's key, however, I did not undertake. But, because the color pattern is so complex, yet matches all expected elements so completely, and all else fits, I have a fairly high level of confidence in the ID. Of course, that doesn't guarantee that it is correct!

 
thanks for the explanation!
*

 
Thanks, Michael!
^^

sure
*

 
Thanks, v!
^^

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