Species Donacia cincticornis

Girdle-horned pond lily leaf beetle

Donacia cincticornis Newman, 1838

10 spp. (in this subgenus) n. of Mex. (2)

Pair of hind femora spines in male, but note that paired metafemoral spines (or teeth) are found in quite a number of species, so this is not diagnostic. This species is incredibly variable. Typically, pronotum and elytra are smooth and shiny, lacking microsculpture, lacking punctures, punctulae, and rugosity; color varies from almost entirely dark to totally pale. Metafemora of male typically long and robust, bidentate, can exceed elytra, can be really huge, like D. militaris; metatibia typically denticulate below. Female metafemora typical for the group, not grossly enlarged. Legs can be mostly darkened varying to entirely reddish. (comment added by Ingolf Askevold, 6-29-24)

e. NA (TX-FL-NS-MB) to C. Amer. / W. Indies - Map (2)(3)

ponds with Nuphar or Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)

Feed on the leaves of Nuphar or Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)

Cut holes in leaf for oviposition, laid in semicircular mass of two rows in gelatinous matrix (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)

This is the most commonly seen or collected species of the subgenus in North America. It’s also the most widespread, ranging from Ontario to Florida and Texas, to Vera Cruz, Belize and Cuba. (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)

Small specimens can be confused with D. rufescens, and in the north, dark specimens can be confused with D. proxima. (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)