Western Babia
Babia tetraspilota
This record describes Babia tetraspilota (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Western sp. ---------- Eastern sp. B. tetraspilota --------- B. quadriguttata CA-TX-NE-WY / Mex. = NM-FL-NY-MN / Can. Both spmns Det. E. G. Riley Both spmns coll. at the same site in Austin, TX
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cryptocephalinae
- Tribe
- Clytrini
- Genus
- Babia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w US (CA-TX-NE-WY) / Mex. - Map , mostly across Texas
Seasonal Activity
Mar-Jul in TX (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ) ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Babia tetraspilota J. L. LeConte 1858
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Babia tetraspilota. 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 Western Babia (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Babia
What is Western Babia?
Western Babia (Babia tetraspilota) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Western Babia?
Western sp. ---------- Eastern sp. B. tetraspilota --------- B. quadriguttata CA-TX-NE-WY / Mex. = NM-FL-NY-MN / Can. Both spmns Det. E. G. Riley Both spmns coll. at the same site in Austin, TX
Where is Western Babia found?
Range: w US (CA-TX-NE-WY) / Mex. - Map , mostly across Texas
What does Western Babia eat?
The diet of the Western Babia includes Mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ) ( 4 ).
When is Western Babia active?
Western Babia: seasonal activity - Mar-Jul in TX (BG data).