Chrysomelinae Leaf Beetles: Broad-Shouldered Beetles

Chrysomelinae is a subfamily of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), commonly known as broad-bodied leaf beetles or broad-shouldered leaf beetles. It includes approximately 3,000 species worldwide.[1] The most well-known member is the notorious Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa ​​decemlineata), which is a significant agricultural pest.[¹]

In general appearance, their bodies are convex, round or oval, and often brightly colored.[1] Coloration and patterning can vary even within a single species.[2] Flightless species (at least in the Australian chrysomeline fauna) tend to be small and dark, and are also nocturnal. Both adults and larvae have glands that secrete chemicals to defend against predators. [¹]

Classification:

• Superkingdom: Holozoa

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Insecta

• Order: Coleoptera

• Family: Chrysomelidae

• Subfamily: Chrysomelinae [1]

If we look closely, we will see the following general characteristics of this leaf beetle:

• Body: Tends to be dome-shaped or oval, often brightly colored or metallic.

• Antennae: Relatively short, no more than half the combined length of the head, thorax, and abdomen.

• Diet: Mostly herbivorous, eating plant parts such as leaves, roots, or seeds.

In another article, I discovered that this beetle is Fasta, a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. [1] This genus is monotypic, represented by a single species, Fasta fastuosa, also known as the dead nettle leaf beetle. [3] This species is found from Europe to Central Asia, including the Caucasus[4] and possibly even northern Turkey[5] and has also been recorded in North America, where it is an introduced species. [²]

This species ranges from 5.1–6.9 millimeters (0.20–0.27 in) in length. F. fastuosa has a golden sheen that transitions to green or purplish-blue longitudinal stripes near the elytra's shoulder bands and near the sutures. Occasionally, F. fastuosa specimens may be completely green or black. [²]

Photo Caption: All photos are mine. Taken using an Infinix Note 40 Pro 5G camera.

Source:

[¹] : https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysomelinae

[²] : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasta