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.
The Cassidinae are a subfamily of the leaf beetles, or Chrysomelidae. The antennae arise close to each other and some members have the pronotal and elytral edges extended to the side and covering the legs so as to give them the common name of tortoise beetles. Some members, such as in the tribe Hispini, are notable for the spiny outgrowths to the pronotum and elytra.
Cassida is a large Old World genus of tortoise beetles in the subfamily Cassidinae. The natural history of Cassida sphaerula in South Africa is a typical life cycle. Several species of Cassida are important agricultural pests, in particular C. vittata and C. nebulosa on sugar beet and spinach. The thistle tortoise beetle has been used as a biological control agent against Canada thistle.
Eurypepla is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least four described species in Eurypepla.
Chalepini is a tribe of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least 50 genera and 830 described species in Chalepini.
Parorectis is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least three described species in Parorectis.
Jonthonota is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least two described species in Jonthonota.
Microctenochira is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least 110 described species in the genus Microctenochira.
Agroiconota is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are more than 20 described species in Agroiconota.
Physonota helianthi, the sunflower tortoise beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Physonota is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines in the family Chrysomelidae. There are more than 40 described species in Physonota.
Chelymorpha is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines in the family Chrysomelidae. There are more than 70 described species in Chelymorpha.
Physonota arizonae, known generally as the Arizona tortoise beetle or canyon ragweed tortoise beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Physonota alutacea, the wild olive tortoise beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America, North America, and South America.
Hilarocassis is a genus of tortoise beetles and hispines in the family Chrysomelidae. There are about 10 described species in Hilarocassis.
Hemisphaerota is a genus in the subfamily Cassidinae in the family Chrysomelidae. There are about 10 described species in Hemisphaerota.
Hemisphaerotini is a Neotropical tribe of tortoise beetles and hispines in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least 2 genera and more than 40 described species in Hemisphaerotini.
Metrionella is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are about 12 described species in Metrionella.
Gratiana is a genus of tortoise beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are about seven described species in Gratiana.
The Neotropical tortoise beetle tribe Spilophorini comprises two genera, Calyptocephala Chevrolat, 1836 and Spilophora Boheman, 1850. Biological information is limited but the life cycle includes six larval instars and the larvae construct a shield of their cast skins.
