Peltoschema is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. This genus contains about 94 species.[1][2] Some mimic ladybird beetles and others are pests and can cause serious defoliation of their host plants. Peltoschema orphana (the fireblight beetle) can defoliate and kill populations of silver wattle.[3][failed verification][4] and badly damage Acacia mearnsii.[5]Peltoschemasuturalis is native to Australia and another pest of Acacias.[6]
Taxonomy
The genus was first described by Edmund Reitter in 1880, with the type species being Peltoschema filicornis, by monotypy,[7][8] and was redescribed in 2001 by Reid and Slipinski.[9] The taxonomic decision for the synonymy of AcacicolaLea, 1903, Pyrgoides, and Pyrgo is based on Reid and Slipinski's 2001 paper.[8][9]
Distribution
Beetles of this genus are found in all states and territories of Australia.[8]
Host plants
Host plants include not only plants in the genera Acacia and Daviesia in the Fabaceae family, but also plants in the Myrtaceae and Apocynaceae families.[2]
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