oval leaf beetle
(Rhabdopterus spp.)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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| Rhabdopterus is a genus of oval leaf beetles. They occur in eastern North America, Central America, and western South America. There are about 70 described species worldwide, 8 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 2 species in Minnesota. It is rare in Minnesota, where it is at the northwest extent of its range. Adults are found in late spring and summer in a variety of habitats feeding on a variety of plants, including oak, carrionflower, and grape. They are active at night and are attracted to lights. | |||||||||
Description |
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Adults are generally oval in shape with straight sides along the middle. They are dark reddish-brown to blackish with a metallic iridescence. The head is fully visible when viewed from above. The exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum) is smooth, shiny, and covered with very fine pits (punctures). It is narrower than the bases of the hardened wing covers (elytra). |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 11/2/2020 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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Order |
Coleoptera (beetles) | ||
Suborder |
Polyphaga (water, rove, scarab, long-horned, leaf, and snout beetles) | ||
Infraorder |
Cucujiformia | ||
Superfamily |
Chrysomeloidea (leaf beetles and allies) | ||
Family |
Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles) | ||
Subfamily |
Eumolpinae (oval leaf beetles) | ||
Tribe |
Eumolpini | ||
| Subtribe | Iphimeites | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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cranberry rootworm (Rhabdopterus picipes) oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus bottimeri) oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus deceptor) oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus fulvipes) oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus guatemalensis) oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus mexicanus) oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus praetextus) oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus weisei) |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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This genus has no common name. The common name of the subfamily Eumolpinae is oval leaf beetles, and it is used here for convenience. |
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Glossary
Elytra
The hardened or leathery forewings of beetles used to protect the fragile hindwings, which are used for flying. Singular: elytron.
Pronotum
The saddle-shaped, exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.
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Alfredo Colon |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Visitor Sightings |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/6/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 11/2/2020
Last Updated: