Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle
Ophraella sexvittata
This record describes Ophraella sexvittata (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Ophraella sexvittata is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Identification notes
Det. S.M. Clark, 2013
Wikipedia reference for Ophraella sexvittata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophraella sexvittata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Galerucinae
- Tribe
- Galerucini
- Genus
- Ophraella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
se.US (MD‒FL to MO‒TX) - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts: Goldenrod ( Solidago spp., Asteraceae), reported from S. altissima, S. canadensis, S. gigantea, S. leavenworthii, and S. nemoralis ( 4 )
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Ophraella sexvittata. 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 Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle (5)
Photo credits: (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug | (c) Amanda Gabehart, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Amanda Gabehart | (c) G. L. Dearman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by G. L. Dearman | (c) Tyler Bishop, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tyler Bishop | Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle
What is Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle?
Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle (Ophraella sexvittata) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle?
4-7 mm
How do you identify Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle?
Det. S.M. Clark, 2013
Where is Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle found?
Range: se.US (MD‒FL to MO‒TX) - Map
What does Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle eat?
The diet of the Six-lined Goldenrod Leaf Beetle includes Hosts: Goldenrod ( Solidago spp., Asteraceae), reported from S. altissima, S. canadensis, S. gigantea, S. leavenworthii, and S. nemoralis ( 4 ).