ABSTRACT

The family Chrysomelidae, or leaf beetles, is the third largest family of Coleoptera with 35,000 recorded species worldwide and estimates of an additional 25,000 unrecorded species yet to be discovered! As the common name suggests, these beetles feed on plants both in the larval and adult stages. The family Chrysomelidae can be identified on the basis of the following characteristics: body elongated, cylindrical to oval and flat; many species brightly colored. In the United States north of Mexico, Ross H. Arnett records 1481 species of chrysomelids in 188 genera. The Chrysomelinae is one of the larger subfamilies in the order Coleoptera and the family Chrysomelidae. The subfamily Chrysomelinae can be identified by the following characteristics; round or oval, convex; usually brightly colored. Identification keys for species of Leptinotarsa as well as illustrations of both elytra and genitalia are provided to assist in identification.