Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle
Colaspis hesperia
This record describes Colaspis hesperia (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A close relative of C. brunnea (e.NA), but differs in being generally a little larger with longer elytra and more coarsely punctate pronotum. It is yellow brown without dark margins or all dark undersurface, only the sides of the abdomen are frequently darker. The antennae as in brunnea are pale with only the last joint dark. The aedeagus is with a very wide tip and angulate, not rounded, before the tip, as in brunnea . As far as known, all the brunnea group specimens (those I’ve seen) from AZ are C. hesperia , which is a good species. -E.G. Riley, pers.comm. to =v= 3.iii.2024 Det. M. A. Quinn, 2013
Wikipedia reference for Colaspis hesperia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colaspis hesperia.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Eumolpinae
- Tribe
- Eumolpini
- Genus
- Colaspis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ to w.TX / Mex. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Alfalfa, lima beans, cotton, grape
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Colaspis hesperia Blake 1974
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Colaspis hesperia. 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 Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle (9)
Photo credits: (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Jason M Crockwell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Jason M Crockwell | (c) James Bailey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by James Bailey | (c) kneubaue, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by kneubaue | (c) David Heckard, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by David Heckard | Contributed by margarethe brummermann; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle
What is Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle?
Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle (Colaspis hesperia) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle?
4.5─6.2 mm
How do you identify Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle?
A close relative of C. brunnea (e.NA), but differs in being generally a little larger with longer elytra and more coarsely punctate pronotum. It is yellow brown without dark margins or all dark undersurface, only the sides of the abdomen are frequently darker. The antennae as in brunnea are pale with only the last joint dark. The aedeagus is with a very wide tip and angulate, not rounded, before the tip, as in brunnea . As far as known, all the brunnea group specimens (those I’ve seen) from AZ are C. hesperia , which is a good species. -E.G. Riley, pers.comm. to =v= 3.iii.2024 Det. M. A. Quinn, 2013
Where is Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle found?
Range: AZ to w.TX / Mex. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 )
What does Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle eat?
The diet of the Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle includes Alfalfa, lima beans, cotton, grape.