Cassidinae beetles

250 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-233).A parsimony analysis was undertaken to test subfamily and tribal group concepts of Cassidinae (ca. 2000 genera, ca. 6000 species). An integrated account of their biology was synthesized from the primary literature. A detailed morphological study of adults, using Hemisphaerota palmarum Boheman as a model, formed the basis for evaluating characters previously utilized and for defining novel characters. The data matrix comprised 210 characters (from adults and immature stages, ecology and behavior), 6 outgroups, and 98 ingroup exemplar species (representing 94 genera and 39 of the 43 recognized cassidine tribes). Results support the monophyly of Cassidinae and place it as sister to Galerucinae. The classical Hispinae s.str. is paraphyletic whereas the classical Cassidinae s.str. is monophyletic if some Imatidiine genera are included. Four tribes--Aproidini, Delocraniini, Hemisphaerotini, and Notosacanthini--are well supported by many autapomorphies. Multiple genera were sampled to test the monophyly of 14 cassidine tribes. Seven were recovered as monophyletic: Anisoderini, Cassidini, Dorynotini, Eugenysini, Hispini, Omocerini, and Spilophorini. Relationships and character support of all cassidine tribes are discussed and compared with phylogenies proposed by Borowiec (1995) and Hsiao and Windsor (1999). The biological account and these phylogenetic results provide an opportunity for identifying some general trends and major innovations in the evolutionary history of Cassidinae. The alteration of the adult head from prognathy to hypognathy and the compaction of the body, legs, and various elytral-locking mechanisms are recurrent themes in adult morphology. Maternal care may have arisen once or twice. Seven trophic guilds are defined here for cassidine larvae. They arise from two large radiations of leaf-mining and exophagous-feeding, a minor radiation in cryptic rolled-leaf feeding, and small generic and sub-generic specializations in stem mining, leaf scraping, petalophagy, and leaf-shelter chewers. Fecal shield construction and retention appear to be correlated with innovations in life history and in larval and pupal morphology, and they may have played an important role in cassidine diversification

Notas sobre la historia natural de Cyrtonota sericinus (Erichson, 1847) en Ecuador (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini)

The first natural history data is reported for the tortoise beetle, Cyrtonota serinus (Erichson, 1847) (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini). An Ipomoea sp. (Convolvulaceae) is recorded as the host plant. Larvae and adults feed on the leaves. Larvae retain an exuvio-fecal shield and are gregarious. Adults are sexually dimorphic and polymorphic in sizes and coloration.Se presentan los primeros datos de la historia natural del escarabajo tortuga, Cyrtonota serinus (Erichson, 1847) (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini). Se registra como la planta huésped una especie de Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae); las larvas y los adultos se alimentan de las hojas. Las larvas retienen un escudo exuvio-fecal y son gregarias. Los adultos son sexualmente dimórficos y polimórficos en tamaños y coloración

Natural history notes on Cyrtonota sericinus (Erichson, 1847) in Ecuador (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini)

The first natural history data is reported for the tortoise beetle, Cyrtonota serinus (Erichson, 1847) (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini). An Ipomoea sp. (Convolvulaceae) is recorded as the host plant. Larvae and adults feed on the leaves. Larvae retain an exuvio-fecal shield and are gregarious. Adults are sexually dimorphic and polymorphic in sizes and coloration

Natural history of \u3ci\u3eJaveta pallida\u3c/i\u3e Baly, 1858 on \u3ci\u3ePhoenix\u3c/i\u3e palms in India (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae, Coelaenomenoderini)

Members of the Old World hispine tribe, Coelaenomenoderini, are documented on host plants of Are­caceae, Cyperaceae, and Zingiberales. A few species are renowned pests of oil palm, especially in Africa. The host plants and natural history of Javeta pallida Baly, 1858, the only Indian species of the tribe, is reported for the first time. These beetles can densely infest indigenous wild date palms, Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb. (Arecaceae), and also use the introduced date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., which is an expand­ing crop in India. Javeta females lay single eggs and cover each with an ootheca. All larval stages mine the leaves and pupation occurs within the larval mine. Adults are exophagous, leaving linear feeding trenches. Natural and induced infestations of J. pallida on these two palms were observed and the potential of J. pallida as a pest of date palm in India is discussed. Javeta pallida completed development on Phoenix palms in 52–88 days (mean 66.38 days) with egg period 11–15 days (mean 12.8 days), larval period 21–54 days (mean 33.02 days) and pupal period 17–23 days (mean 20.52 days). Elasmus longiventris Verma and Hayat and Pediobius imbreus Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitize the larva and pupa of J. pallida

Natural history of \u3ci\u3eCassida sphaerula\u3c/i\u3e Boheman, 1854 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Cassidini) on \u3ci\u3eArctotheca prostrata\u3c/i\u3e (Salisb.) Britten (Asteraceae: Arctotidinae) in South Africa, with a checklist of South African Cassidinae (leaf-mining and tortoise beetles)

The tortoise beetle, Cassida sphaerula Boheman, 1854 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Cassidini) is endemic to South Africa. Its endemic host, Arctotheca prostrata (Salisb.) Britten (Asteraceae) has been introduced in other countries where it is becoming invasive. Cassida sphaerula could provide a potential biocontrol of Arctotheca weeds as it spends the entire life cycle on this host. An intensive field study, with rearing, photography, and short films of C. sphaerula was conducted in its native habitat to document the life cycle. A checklist of Cassidinae genera in South Africa, along with 19 new host records for Cassidini species in South Africa are presented. Oothecae are simple, with few laminate membranes enclosing fewer than five eggs. There are five larval instars. Larvae and adults feed by making a series of cuts in the ventral cuticle, forming an arc, and they consume the mesophyll as the cuticle is rolled to one side. This creates many ventral craters, thickened on one margin with the rolled cuticle; these ventral craters correspond to ‘windows’ in the dorsal leaf surface where the dorsal cuticle is left intact. This unusual feeding pattern is known in three Cas­sida species, all in South Africa. Like many tortoise beetles, instar I initiates a feces-only shield on its paired caudal processes (= urogomophi); this construction is retained, along with exuviae, by subsequent instars. The shield construction was studied by film and dissections. This revealed that the columnar or pyramidal shield in this species has an exterior of dry or moist feces that obscures the central nested stack of exuviae, each exuviae compressed onto the caudal processes. Pupae may retain the entire larval shield of exuviae and feces or only the 5th instar exuviae; this behavioral flexibility in pupal shield retention is novel for tortoise beetles. Behaviors of C. sphaerula are discussed in the context of phylogenetic characters that can give evolu­tionary insights into the genus, tribe, and subfamily

Orb-web spider Argiope (Araneidae) as indigenous arrow poison of G/ui and G//ana San hunters in the Kalahari

Hunting has been crucial in early human evolution. Some San (Bushmen) of southern Africa still practice their indigenous hunting. The use of poisons is one remarkable aspect of their bow-and-arrow hunting but the sources, taxonomic identifications of species used, and recipes, are not well documented. This study reports on fieldwork to investigate recent indigenous hunting practices of G/ui and G//ana San communities in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), Botswana. Here we discuss their use of spider poison. The hunters use the contents of the opisthosoma (‘abdomen’) of a spider as sole ingredient of the arrow poison and discard the prosoma that contains the venom-glands. Using taxonomic keys, we identified the spider as the garden orb-web spider Argiope australis (Walckenaer 1805) (Araneidae). The hunters’ choice of this species is remarkable given the scientific perception that A. australis is of little medical importance. The species choice raises questions about how the spider fluids could kill game, particularly when the prosoma, which contains the venom glands, is not used. Possibilities include trauma, as a source of pathogens, or abdomen- containing toxins. Based on characteristics of Argiope Audouin 1826, we hypothesize that the choice of this species for arrow poisons might have evolved from the recognition of aposematic signalling or spiritual symbolism. Indigenous knowledge (IK) is an important source for advances in biotechnology but is in decline worldwide. The study contributes to the documentation of the San people, and their ancient IK, which is threatened by marginalization, political pressures, and climate change

Natural History Notes on Stolas conspersa (Germar, 1823) from Brazil (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini)

Cedeño, Pedro Emilio, Chaboo, Caroline Simmrita (2020): Natural History Notes on Stolas conspersa (Germar, 1823) from Brazil (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini). The Coleopterists Bulletin 74 (3): 502-505, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X-74.3.502, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/0010-065x-74.3.50

Natural history of \u3ci\u3eJaveta pallida\u3c/i\u3e Baly, 1858 on \u3ci\u3ePhoenix\u3c/i\u3e palms in India (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae, Coelaenomenoderini)

Members of the Old World hispine tribe, Coelaenomenoderini, are documented on host plants of Are­caceae, Cyperaceae, and Zingiberales. A few species are renowned pests of oil palm, especially in Africa. The host plants and natural history of Javeta pallida Baly, 1858, the only Indian species of the tribe, is reported for the first time. These beetles can densely infest indigenous wild date palms, Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb. (Arecaceae), and also use the introduced date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., which is an expand­ing crop in India. Javeta females lay single eggs and cover each with an ootheca. All larval stages mine the leaves and pupation occurs within the larval mine. Adults are exophagous, leaving linear feeding trenches. Natural and induced infestations of J. pallida on these two palms were observed and the potential of J. pallida as a pest of date palm in India is discussed. Javeta pallida completed development on Phoenix palms in 52–88 days (mean 66.38 days) with egg period 11–15 days (mean 12.8 days), larval period 21–54 days (mean 33.02 days) and pupal period 17–23 days (mean 20.52 days). Elasmus longiventris Verma and Hayat and Pediobius imbreus Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitize the larva and pupa of J. pallida