Acanthoscelides prosopoides
This record describes Acanthoscelides prosopoides (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Salient characters are the color pattern, the elongate scutellum, subconical pronotum, and especially the laterally deflected 3rd and 4th strial bases ending in a carinate or toothed subbasal ridge. Color: Body dark red to piceous; appendages reddish brown to piceous except basal four antennal segments always reddish brown ventrally. Vestiture predominantly gray with dark brown in elytral and pronotal patterns (figure 561); pattern of pronotum varying from uniformly gray to a large central brown patch sometimes bisected by narrow gray line; elytra varying from all gray with faintly indicated humeral, lateral, and terminal brown maculae to more extensive dark brown maculations; pygidium usually gray with intermixed dark brown setae in vague pattern (figure 562); ventral areas of body uniformly gray. Type locality: New Braunfels, Comal Co., TX
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Bruchinae
- Tribe
- Bruchini
- Genus
- Acanthoscelides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
s.CA to c.TX / Mex. - Map , most records from TX
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host plant: lotebush ( Ziziphus obtusifolia (= Condalia lycioides ), Rhamnaceae)
Life History
Natural enemies: Eupelmus cushmani (Eupelmidae), Urosigalphus neobruchi (Braconidae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Acanthoscelides prosopoides (Schaeffer) Orig. Comb: Bruchus prosopoides Schaeffer 1907
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Acanthoscelides prosopoides. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Acanthoscelides prosopoides (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Acanthoscelides prosopoides
What is Acanthoscelides prosopoides?
Acanthoscelides prosopoides is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Acanthoscelides prosopoides?
length: 1.8–3.1 mm
How do you identify Acanthoscelides prosopoides?
Salient characters are the color pattern, the elongate scutellum, subconical pronotum, and especially the laterally deflected 3rd and 4th strial bases ending in a carinate or toothed subbasal ridge. Color: Body dark red to piceous; appendages reddish brown to piceous except basal four antennal segments always reddish brown ventrally. Vestiture predominantly gray with dark brown in elytral and pronotal patterns (figure 561); pattern of pronotum varying from uniformly gray to a large central brown patch sometimes bisected by narrow gray line; elytra varying from all gray with faintly indicated humeral, lateral, and terminal brown maculae to more extensive dark brown maculations; pygidium usually gray with intermixed dark brown setae in vague pattern (figure 562); ventral areas of body uniformly gray.
Where is Acanthoscelides prosopoides found?
Range: s.CA to c.TX / Mex. - Map , most records from TX
What does Acanthoscelides prosopoides eat?
The diet of the Acanthoscelides prosopoides includes Host plant: lotebush ( Ziziphus obtusifolia (= Condalia lycioides ), Rhamnaceae).
What is the life cycle of a Acanthoscelides prosopoides?
Natural enemies: Eupelmus cushmani (Eupelmidae), Urosigalphus neobruchi (Braconidae)