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Photo#35023
Goldenrod Leaf Beetle - Trirhabda canadensis

Goldenrod Leaf Beetle - Trirhabda canadensis
Wagner Natural Area, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
August 12, 2005
Size: ~8mm
This is Trirhabda canadensis. It is a Chrysomelid in the subfamily Galerucinae. As the name implies it feeds on species of goldenrod (Solidago). It has been used in a number of studies to determine the beetle's response to the plant's volatile odors, and the response of different goldenrod species to excessive grazing by the beetle. From what I can find it is widely distributed across North America, and is one of 27 nearctic species. There are images here and here at Cedar Creek. The cedar Creek site shows two other species of Trirhabda, T. adela and T. virgata?. It would appear that the distinct, rather square black mark on the back of the head is distinctive in T. canadensis. This species and genus needs a new guide page.

Images of this individual: tag all
Goldenrod Leaf Beetle - Trirhabda canadensis Goldenrod Leaf Beetle - Trirhabda canadensis

field marks of other species?
According to the Checklist of Beetles of Canada and Alaska PDF doc on Chrysomelidae, there's 3 other Trirhabda species in Alberta: attenuata, borealis, and convergens.
There's a photo of borealis here but I haven't seen specimens or identified photos of the other 2 species; do you know how they are distinguished from each other and from canadensis?

Other pictures in the guide
Would these other pictures listed under subfamily Galerucinae all be the same as yours?

 
Yes to genus, but not species.
I have already sent both you and Lynette a note about these, so that should clarify things. The only one I am prepaired to take to species is my own, and that by comparison to the synoptic collection at the U. of A.

 
New guide page
Here's the Goldenrod Leaf Beetle guide page. Thanks for helping on the identifications othe others, Terry.

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