Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle
Xanthonia decemnotata
This record describes Xanthonia decemnotata (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
sloppy arrangement of the elytral setae (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2024) plus, no profemoral tooth
Wikipedia reference for Xanthonia decemnotata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xanthonia_decemnotata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Eumolpinae
- Tribe
- Adoxini
- Genus
- Xanthonia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e NA, but uncommon in se US (OK-GA-NS-SK) - Map , mostly New England to s. SK
Seasonal Activity
Apr-Jun, Aug-Sep ( 3 ) , adults emerge in the fall and are up on the leaves of their host oaks at that time (also in early spring) (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2024)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: oaks ( Quercus , Fagaceae) (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2024)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: decemnotata - ten spot
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Xanthonia decemnotata. 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 Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle (9)
Photo credits: (c) Christian Back, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christian Back | (c) Alain Hogue, all rights reserved, uploaded by Alain Hogue | (c) Jason M Crockwell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Jason M Crockwell | (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland | (c) Michael H. King, all rights reserved | (c) mregnier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by mregnier | (c) Richard Baxter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Richard Baxter | (c) Eric Knopf, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric Knopf | Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle
What is Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle?
Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle (Xanthonia decemnotata) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle?
sloppy arrangement of the elytral setae (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2024) plus, no profemoral tooth
Where is Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle found?
Range: e NA, but uncommon in se US (OK-GA-NS-SK) - Map , mostly New England to s. SK
What does Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle eat?
The diet of the Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle includes oaks ( Quercus , Fagaceae) (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2024).
When is Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle active?
Ten-spotted Leaf Beetle: seasonal activity - Apr-Jun, Aug-Sep ( 3 ) , adults emerge in the fall and are up on the leaves of their host oaks at that time (also in early spring) (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. to MAQ, 2024).