Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica
Donacia magnifica
This record describes Donacia magnifica (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Recognized by completely dark green color, dense punctures of pronotum, and striking multicolor of elytra and pronotum, metafemora of male bidentate, legs entirely dark • Holotype Not commonly seen or collected because the host plant is out of reach from shore. They are quick to fly and will also scoot under the leaf to hide. Has been found in numbers in company of Neohaemonia
Wikipedia reference for Donacia magnifica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donacia_magnifica.
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
Slow moving streams, on floating Potamogeton leaves
Geographic Range
northern transcontinental & western (BC‒NB south to CA‒CO‒ND‒MI‒ME) Probably more widespread but not well known because of difficulty of collecting
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Potamogeton (Potamogetonaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Donacia magnifica LeConte 1851
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Donacia magnifica. 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 (Mergodonacia) magnifica (4)
Photo credits: no rights reserved, uploaded by Ingolf Askevold | Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , Ingolf
Frequently Asked Questions About Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica
What is Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica?
Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica (Donacia magnifica) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica?
Recognized by completely dark green color, dense punctures of pronotum, and striking multicolor of elytra and pronotum, metafemora of male bidentate, legs entirely dark • Holotype
Where is Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Slow moving streams, on floating Potamogeton leaves |
| Range | northern transcontinental & western (BC‒NB south to CA‒CO‒ND‒MI‒ME) Probably more widespread but not well known because of difficulty of collecting |
What does Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica eat?
The diet of the Donacia (Mergodonacia) magnifica includes hosts: Potamogeton (Potamogetonaceae).