Donacia hypoleuca
This record describes Donacia hypoleuca (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Uniform very fine microsculpture of pronotal surface, hind pronotal margin wider than anterior and with hind setiferous tubercle quite prominent; slender but distinctly clavate metafemora, sometimes toothless metafemora; basal protarsomere of males slightly wider than 2nd (Ingolf Askevold comment ) Det. E. G. Riley, 2010 common at lights (Ingolf Askevold comment on iNat)
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
Geographic Range
se US (TX-FL-DC-NE) - Map , particularly common across eastern TX
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pond lilies
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Donacia hypoleuca Lacordaire 1845 The name I think refers to its low-metallicm or pale lustre, though this is not unusual for species of this subgenus
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Donacia hypoleuca. 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 Donacia hypoleuca (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Ingolf
Frequently Asked Questions About Donacia hypoleuca
What is Donacia hypoleuca?
Donacia hypoleuca is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Donacia hypoleuca?
Uniform very fine microsculpture of pronotal surface, hind pronotal margin wider than anterior and with hind setiferous tubercle quite prominent; slender but distinctly clavate metafemora, sometimes toothless metafemora; basal protarsomere of males slightly wider than 2nd (Ingolf Askevold comment ) Det. E. G. Riley, 2010
Where is Donacia hypoleuca found?
Range: se US (TX-FL-DC-NE) - Map , particularly common across eastern TX
What does Donacia hypoleuca eat?
The diet of the Donacia hypoleuca includes Pond lilies.