Gratiana boliviana
This record describes Gratiana boliviana (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva cream with small green spot. Carries fecal shield. Young adults light green with a continuous yellow mark along the rim. Adults turn yellow. Used as weed biocontrol agent against Solanum viarum (soda apple), an invasive plant from South America; first released in May 2003 (Diaz et al. 2012)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cassidinae
- Tribe
- Cassidini
- Genus
- Gratiana
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
released in FL, GA, AL, TX, established in FL; native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay (Diaz et al. 2012)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The only host of Gratiana boliviana in Florida is tropical soda apple, ( Solanum viarum , Solanaceae) (Diaz et al. 2012)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Gratiana boliviana Spaeth 1926
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Gratiana boliviana. 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 Gratiana boliviana (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Boris Büche; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Gratiana boliviana
What is Gratiana boliviana?
Gratiana boliviana is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Gratiana boliviana?
Larva cream with small green spot. Carries fecal shield. Young adults light green with a continuous yellow mark along the rim. Adults turn yellow.
Where is Gratiana boliviana found?
Range: released in FL, GA, AL, TX, established in FL; native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay (Diaz et al. 2012)
What does Gratiana boliviana eat?
The diet of the Gratiana boliviana includes The only host of Gratiana boliviana in Florida is tropical soda apple, ( Solanum viarum , Solanaceae) (Diaz et al. 2012).