Disonycha fumata
This record describes Disonycha fumata (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to D. alternata , but antennae unusually long, reaching to middle of elytra in male, or slightly beyond; 4th joint nearly twice as long as third (ratio here measured as 1.5-1.75, vs. 1.3-1.4 in alternata ) and elytra only indistinctly punctate. Det. M. A. Quinn, 2013
Wikipedia reference for Disonycha fumata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disonycha_fumata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Galerucinae
- Tribe
- Alticini
- Genus
- Disonycha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
mostly s. US (CA-TX-OK-UT, AL, FL) / Mex. to C. Amer. - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Asteraceae in the US, other host families reported in C. Amer. ( 4 )
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Disonycha fumata. 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 Disonycha fumata (6)
Photo credits: (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Anne, all rights reserved | (c) R.E.Llanos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by R.E.Llanos | (c) Arthur de Jesús Chavarría Pérez, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Arthur de Jesús Chavarría Pérez | (c) Ricardo Arredondo T., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ricardo Arredondo T. | Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Boris Bueche , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Disonycha fumata
What is Disonycha fumata?
Disonycha fumata is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Disonycha fumata?
Very similar to D. alternata , but antennae unusually long, reaching to middle of elytra in male, or slightly beyond; 4th joint nearly twice as long as third (ratio here measured as 1.5-1.75, vs. 1.3-1.4 in alternata ) and elytra only indistinctly punctate. Det. M. A. Quinn, 2013
Where is Disonycha fumata found?
Range: mostly s. US (CA-TX-OK-UT, AL, FL) / Mex. to C. Amer. - Map
What does Disonycha fumata eat?
The diet of the Disonycha fumata includes Asteraceae in the US, other host families reported in C. Amer. ( 4 ).