Leaf Beetles
COLEOPTERA :
CHRYSOMELIDAE
Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 25 October 2005)
(Photo: courtesy of the
Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)
Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 25 October 2005)
(Photo: courtesy of the
Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)
These grubs are not true Caterpillars, but are the larvae various types of beetles of the family Chrysomelidae. They are often communal, eating in a group the leaves of their food tree. The one illustrated here was feeding on the leaves of:
Other species of beetle larvae in the same family feed on the foliage of other trees. Initially the larvae are pale yellow with a black head. As they develop, they acquire black warts along the body. Later they become entirely dark grey They grow to a length of about 2 cms.
The adult beetles are typically brown, and also often feed on the foliage of the same tree as the larvae.
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