Agelastica alni | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Chrysomelidae |
Subfamily: | Galerucinae |
Tribe: | Hylaspini |
Genus: | Agelastica |
Species: | A. alni [1] |
Binomial name | |
Agelastica alni [1] | |
Synonyms [2] [3] | |
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Agelastica alni, the alder leaf beetle, is a species of leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae) in the genus Agelastica . Agelastica alni is distributed in Europe, the Caucasus, Siberia, north-eastern Kazakhstan, and in the 19th century was introduced to the United States. [4]
The beetle and the beetle's larval host is the grey or speckled alder (Alnus incana) and to a lesser extent black alder ( Alnus glutinosa ), but it will also be found on hazel, birch or hornbeam [5] if there is a shortage of food. It causes large holes and gaps in leaves from the end of April onwards, which are produced by the larvae in the first two stages, but the main damage is produced by larvae in the third stage.
Previously rare, and considered extinct in the UK, [6] since being found in Manchester in 2004 it appears to be on the increase in the North West of England. Its range has been extending and it was found in Nottinghamshire and Hampshire in 2014 and in North Wales in 2018. [5] [7]
The alder leaf beetle is a relatively small beetle, around 6–7 mm, black or metallic blue in colour. The winged adults overwinter and emerge in the spring. There is one generation each year. The larvae are normally black. Although the damage to alder trees can be unsightly, the trees will usually tolerate the damage. [5] [8]
There are two subspecies of Agelastica alni: [2] [3]
The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 species in more than 2,500 genera, making up one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families. Numerous subfamilies are recognized, but the precise taxonomy and systematics are likely to change with ongoing research.
Alnus glutinosa, the common alder, black alder, European alder, European black alder, or just alder, is a species of tree in the family Betulaceae, native to most of Europe, southwest Asia and northern Africa. It thrives in wet locations where its association with the bacterium Frankia alni enables it to grow in poor quality soils. It is a medium-sized, short-lived tree growing to a height of up to 30 metres (100 ft). It has short-stalked rounded leaves and separate male and female flowers in the form of catkins. The small, rounded fruits are cone-like and the seeds are dispersed by wind and water.
The blue willow beetle, formerly Phyllodecta vulgatissima, is a herbivourous beetle of the family Chrysomelidae. It is black with metallic shine in nuances individually varying from a more common blue to a rarer bronze. It is distinguished from P. vitellinae by the latter more commonly displaying bronze nuances. European Phratora species can be distinguished based on morphology of female genitalia. The larvae undergo three instar stages from hatching to pupation. This beetle is found throughout Europe and Scandinavia, and occurs in China.
Leaf beetles of the genus Neochlamisus are sometimes known as the warty leaf beetles. They are members of the case-bearing leaf beetle group, the Camptosomata. Measuring 3–4 millimeters in length as adults, they are cryptic, superficially resembling caterpillar frass. Seventeen, sometimes 18 species are presently accepted in this genus, all of them occurring in North America.
Parasyrphus nigritarsis is a species of hoverfly, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera. It is known from northern Europe and North America, and has been considered to be a rare species in parts of its range. Adults visit flowers as a source of nutrition, and females lay their eggs on clutches of eggs of leaf beetles. When the Parasyrphus larvae hatch, they first consume leaf beetle eggs and then consume immature beetles until they reach the pupal stage. This species is related to hoverflies that prey on aphids as larvae, and has been investigated in studies of chemical ecology and food web ecology.
Galerucella lineola is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae.
Pyrrhalta is a genus of beetles in the leaf beetle family, Chrysomelidae. Species are distributed throughout much of the world, including much of the Northern Hemisphere and the Australian region.
The Brassy Leaf Beetle, formerly Phyllodecta vitellinae, is a beetle of the family Chrysomelidae found in Europe and Asia. It feeds on Populus and Salix species. The evolution of its host plant preferences and the mechanism by which it uses host plant chemicals to make a larval defensive secretion have been the subject of intense study by research groups in Europe and the Nordic countries.
Agelastica is a genus of beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. It has two members, Agelastica alni and Agelastica coerulea.
Chrysolina coerulans, also known as the blue mint beetle or blue mint leaf beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is in the subgenus of Synerga. It is native to a wide range of countries between mid and eastern Europe and lives alongside rivers and in meadows, it feeds on various plant members of the mint family.
Luperus flavipes is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Galerucinae.
Altica ambiens, the alder flea beetle, is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Luperini is a tribe of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are more than 30 genera and 500 described species in Luperini.
Trichaltica is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least four described species in Trichaltica. They are found in North America, Central America, and the Neotropics.
Dysphenges is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least three described species in Dysphenges. They are found in North America and Central America.
Hemiphrynus is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There is one described species in Hemiphrynus, H. intermedius. They are found in North America and Central America.
Hornaltica is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There is one described species in Hornaltica, H. bicolorata. They are found in North America.
Calligrapha alni, the russet alder leaf beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Diabrotica cristata, the black diabrotica, is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Luperus viridipennis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Galerucinae.