Disonycha politula
This record describes Disonycha politula (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
lustrous and closely punctate green or blue elytra; prothorax pale, undersurface mostly dark, the abdominal margin, anterior femora, and basal half of posterior femora pale. elytra more or less blue this may be known by the very distinctly punctate elytra. The colors are very constant; the posterior femora have the colors separated diagonally, so that the underside is more yellow, while the upper is more black. The bicolored head separates it out from the similar D. xanthomelas and triangularis . … John R. Watts, 17 July, 2008 Picture definitely shows how densely punctate the elytra are (a character of D. politula ) and the other shot shows the head and bicolored femora that cinch the ID. I'm sure that Amaranthus is somewhere nearby but I've often collected amaranth-feeding Disonycha in southern AZ away from hosts when the monsoons have been exceptionally good and the beetle populations abundant. … John R. Watts, 21 July, 2008
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
sw US (AZ to w. TX, sw. KS) / Mex. to C. Amer. - Map ( 4 ) ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts on carelessweed ( Amaranthus palmeri , Amaranthaceae) ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Disonycha politula Horn 1889
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Disonycha politula. 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 politula (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Disonycha politula
What is Disonycha politula?
Disonycha politula is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Disonycha politula?
lustrous and closely punctate green or blue elytra; prothorax pale, undersurface mostly dark, the abdominal margin, anterior femora, and basal half of posterior femora pale. elytra more or less blue this may be known by the very distinctly punctate elytra. The colors are very constant; the posterior femora have the colors separated diagonally, so that the underside is more yellow, while the upper is more black. The bicolored head separates it out from the similar D. xanthomelas and triangularis . … John R. Watts, 17 July, 2008 Picture definitely shows how densely punctate the elytra are (a character of D. politula ) and the other shot shows the head and bicolored femora that cinch the ID. I'm sure that Amaranthus is somewhere nearby but I've often collected amaranth-feeding Disonycha in southern AZ away from hosts when the monsoons have been exceptionally good and the beetle populations abundant. … John R. Watts, 21 July, 2008
Where is Disonycha politula found?
Range: sw US (AZ to w. TX, sw. KS) / Mex. to C. Amer. - Map ( 4 ) ( 5 )
What does Disonycha politula eat?
The diet of the Disonycha politula includes hosts on carelessweed ( Amaranthus palmeri , Amaranthaceae) ( 6 ).