Epistictina reicheana

Epistictina reicheana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Genus: Epistictina
Species:
E. reicheana
Binomial name
Epistictina reicheana

Epistictina reicheana, is a species of leaf beetle found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tasmania.[1][2]

Description

It is a medium-sized beetle. Body oval. Elytra dark reddish in color with many dark patches. Larva dark brown in color with a distinct pattern. Final instar grub is about 10 to 11 mm in length. Head and legs are much darker. Body covered with setae. Pupa is about 8.3 mm long. Pupa without urogomphi or apical processes. Sixth and seventh abdominal segments are also absent.[3]

Biology

The host plant is Stereospermum tetragonum. Adult female lays eggs on the upper surface of the leaf which are deposited in egg masses or within ootheca. Ootheca is made of brownish translucent material, but appears yellowish. After hatching, first instar grub starts to scrape the upper surface of the leaf. Second to the fifth instar grubs are voracious predators which cut net-like holes in the leaf surface. Larva generally carry fecal threads which are attached to supra anal spines. These threads are useful during pupation.[3]

References

  1. ^ "New records of Asian and Australopapuan Cassidinae, with a description of five new species of Cassida L. from Thailand (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)". Genus Vol. 12(4): 493-562 Wroc³aw, 28 XII 2001. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  2. ^ "Tortoise beetles and their host plants from Pune (Maharashtra State, India) and nearby places (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)" (PDF). Genus Vol. 14 (4): 519-539 Wroc³aw, 28 XII 2003. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  3. ^ a b Ghate, H.V.; Ranade, S.P. (2002-02-21). "New locality records and additional comments on the life history stages of Epistictina Reicheana (Guerin) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)". Zoos' Print Journal. pp. 729–731. doi:10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.17.3.729-31. Retrieved 2021-09-23.


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