Leptinotarsa haldemani

Leptinotarsa haldemani
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Chrysomelidae
Genus:	Leptinotarsa
Species:	L. haldemani
Binomial name
Leptinotarsa haldemani Rogers, 1856

Leptinotarsa haldemani, commonly known as Haldeman's green potato beetle, is a glossy green-colored species of beetle in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. It was named in honour of Samuel Stehman Haldeman, a 19th-century American entomologist who collected insect specimens in Texas.

Description

This small beetle has a black head, antennae, thorax, and legs. Its general body shape is domed and the elytra are usually deep metallic green, but sometimes metallic purple or blue.[1]

Distribution

This species is found in Mexico, Central America, and the US states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.[2]

Host plants

This beetle is found on members of the family Solanaceae including wild species of Physalis, Solanum douglasii, and the Anderson thornbush, Lycium andersonii.[3] It is also occasionally found on potatoes.[4]

References

1. "Leptinotarsa haldemani Rogers, 1856". Bug Guide. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
2. Riley, E.G., S.M. Clark, & T.N. Seeno. 2003. Catalog of the leaf beetles of America north of Mexico (Coleoptera: Megalopodidae, Orsodacnidae and Chrysomelidae, excluding Bruchinae). Coleopterists Society, Special Publication no. 1, 290 pp.
3. Donald C. Weber; Daniel L. Rowley; Matthew H. Greenstone; Michael M. Athanas. "Prey preference and host suitability of the predatory and parasitoid carabid beetle, Lebia grandis, for several species of Leptinotarsa beetles" (PDF). Beltsville, MD: Insect Biocontrol Laboratory. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
4. Clark, S.M., D.G. LeDoux, T.N. Seeno, E.G. Riley, A.J. Gilbert and J.M. Sullivan. 2004. Host plants of leaf beetle species occurring in the United States and Canada (Coleoptera: Megalopodidae, Orsodacnidae, Chrysomelidae exclusive of Bruchinae). Coleopterists Society, Special Publication no. 2, 476 pp.