Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle
Donacia cincticornis
This record describes Donacia cincticornis (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Pair of hind femora spines in male, but note that paired metafemoral spines (or teeth) are found in quite a number of species, so this is not diagnostic. This species is incredibly variable. Typically, pronotum and elytra are smooth and shiny, lacking microsculpture, lacking punctures, punctulae, and rugosity; color varies from almost entirely dark to totally pale. Metafemora of male typically long and robust, bidentate, can exceed elytra, can be really huge, like D. militaris ; metatibia typically denticulate below. Female metafemora typical for the group, not grossly enlarged. Legs can be mostly darkened varying to entirely reddish. (comment added by Ingolf Askevold, 6-29-24) This is the most commonly seen or collected species of the subgenus in North America. It’s also the most widespread, ranging from Ontario to Florida and Texas, to Vera Cruz, Belize and Cuba. (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)
Wikipedia reference for Donacia cincticornis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donacia cincticornis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Donaciinae
- Tribe
- Plateumarini
- Genus
- Donacia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
ponds with Nuphar or Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)
Geographic Range
e. NA (TX-FL-NS-MB) to C. Amer. / W. Indies - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Feed on the leaves of Nuphar or Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)
Life History
Cut holes in leaf for oviposition, laid in semicircular mass of two rows in gelatinous matrix (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Donacia cincticornis Newman, 1838
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Donacia cincticornis. 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 Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle (7)
Photo credits: (c) Chris Rorabaugh, all rights reserved, uploaded by Chris Rorabaugh | (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | (c) Robby Deans, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Robby Deans | (c) robertgessing, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by robertgessing | (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jim Moore (Maryland) | (c) Benigno Veraz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Benigno Veraz | Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Ingolf
Frequently Asked Questions About Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle
What is Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle?
Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle (Donacia cincticornis) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle?
Pair of hind femora spines in male, but note that paired metafemoral spines (or teeth) are found in quite a number of species, so this is not diagnostic. This species is incredibly variable. Typically, pronotum and elytra are smooth and shiny, lacking microsculpture, lacking punctures, punctulae, and rugosity; color varies from almost entirely dark to totally pale. Metafemora of male typically long and robust, bidentate, can exceed elytra, can be really huge, like D. militaris ; metatibia typically denticulate below. Female metafemora typical for the group, not grossly enlarged. Legs can be mostly darkened varying to entirely reddish. (comment added by Ingolf Askevold, 6-29-24)
Where is Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | ponds with Nuphar or Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) (comment by I. Askevold, 2024) |
| Range | e. NA (TX-FL-NS-MB) to C. Amer. / W. Indies - Map |
What does Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle eat?
The diet of the Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle includes Feed on the leaves of Nuphar or Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) (comment by I. Askevold, 2024).
What is the life cycle of a Girdle-horned Pond Lily Leaf Beetle?
Cut holes in leaf for oviposition, laid in semicircular mass of two rows in gelatinous matrix (comment by I. Askevold, 2024)