Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle
Jonthonota nigripes
This record describes Jonthonota nigripes (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Black scutellum - also, adult reddish-orange with 3 black spots on each elytron; legs mostly black or dark brown, body shape oblong and nearly parallel-sided, elytral margins opaque or translucent but not transparent, surface not highly reflective ; larva straw-yellow
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Cassidinae
- Tribe
- Cassidini
- Genus
- Jonthonota
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
fields, meadows, gardens
Geographic Range
mostly w.NA (s.CA-c.TX-MN-AB), plus scattered e. records / Mex. - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: feeds on Morning-Glory Family (Convolvulaceae), having been reported from Calystegia sepium, Calystegia longipes, Convolvulus arvensis, Convolvulus arvensis, Convolvulus equitans, Ipomoea alba, Ipomoea batatas, I. pandurata, I. purpurea, Ipomoea leptophylla, I. pandurata, Ipomoea batatas, Ipomoea cordatotriloba ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Jonthonota nigripes (Olivier 1790)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Jonthonota nigripes. 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 Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle
What is Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle?
Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle (Jonthonota nigripes) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle?
8-9 mm
How do you identify Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle?
Black scutellum - also, adult reddish-orange with 3 black spots on each elytron; legs mostly black or dark brown, body shape oblong and nearly parallel-sided, elytral margins opaque or translucent but not transparent, surface not highly reflective ; larva straw-yellow
Where is Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | fields, meadows, gardens |
| Range | mostly w.NA (s.CA-c.TX-MN-AB), plus scattered e. records / Mex. - Map |
What does Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle eat?
The diet of the Blacklegged Tortoise Beetle includes feeds on Morning-Glory Family (Convolvulaceae), having been reported from Calystegia sepium, Calystegia longipes, Convolvulus arvensis, Convolvulus arvensis, Convolvulus equitans, Ipomoea alba, Ipomoea batatas, I. pandurata, I. purpurea, Ipomoea leptophylla, I. pandurata, Ipomoea batatas, Ipomoea cordatotriloba ( 4 ).