Lema daturaphila
| Lema daturaphila | |
|---|---|
| |
| Lema daturaphila | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Subfamily: | Criocerinae |
| Tribe: | Lemini |
| Genus: | Lema |
| Species: | L. daturaphila
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| Binomial name | |
| Lema daturaphila Kogan and Goeden, 1970
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| Synonyms | |
Lema daturaphila, commonly known as the three-lined potato beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is originally from Central and North America, but has spread elsewhere.[1]
Description
Adult L. daturaphila measure 7-8 mm in length and a bright orange-yellow in colour. Their elytra are marked with dark lines, one at either side and one along the suture between the wings. It is from this feature that their common name derives. The larvae are slug-like with black heads.[2]
Diet and behaviour
Three-lined potato beetles are found on plants in the family Solanaceae and are often agricultural pests to crops. They are commonly found on tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa), which they can severely damage. They also feed on tomato and potato plants, but far less frequently.[2] They can also infest sacred datura.[3] The larvae hatch in late June or July, feed on their host plant, and are often found in groups. The larvae cover themselves with their own excrement, probably as a natural defence against predation.[2][4]
Similar species
L. daturaphila is similar in appearance to Lema trivittata and Lema bilineata, which are all closely related.[5]
References
- ^ Volesky, Nick (2020-12-01). "Three-Lined Potato Beetle". All Current Publications: 1–3.
- ^ a b c Eaton, A. T. (2015). "Three-Lined Potato Beetle" (PDF). University of New Hampshire. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- ^ "Unexpected benefits from food competitors: When laying their eggs, female hawkmoths rather share a host plant with competitors in order to escape from parasitic wasps". ScienceDaily. January 10, 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
- ^ Hahn, J. (2003). "Threelined potato beetle". University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
- ^ Monti, Maurilia M.; Ruocco, Michelina; Grobbelaar, Elizabeth; Pedata, Paolo A. (May 2020). "Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Lema bilineata (Germar), a New Alien Invasive Leaf Beetle for Europe, with Notes on the Related Species Lema daturaphila Kogan & Goeden". Insects. 11 (5): 295. doi:10.3390/insects11050295. PMC 7290676. PMID 32403314 – via Academic Search Complete.
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