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 Galerucinae are a large subfamily of the leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), containing about 15,000 species in more than 1000 genera, of which about 500 genera and about 8000 species make up the flea beetle tribe Alticini.
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.
The Cassidini are a tribe within the leaf beetle subfamily Cassidinae. The Cassidini comprises approximately 40 genera worldwide, and is one of the largest tribes in the subfamily, containing most of the genera and species known collectively as "tortoise beetles". The subfamily names Cassidinae and Hispinae were both founded by Gyllenhal in the same 1813 book, but following the Principle of the First Reviser, Chen in this case, priority is given to the name Cassidinae.
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.
Acromis spinifex is a species of tortoise beetle from South America. The males have enlarged elytra which are probably used in male–male combat, while females are among the few tortoise beetles to show maternal care of their offspring.
Denaeaspis is an extinct genus of tortoise beetle in the family Chrysomelidae and containing a single species Denaeaspis chelonopsis. The species is known only from the Middle Eocene Parachute Member, part of the Green River Formation, in the Piceance Creek Basin, Garfield County, northwestern Colorado, USA.
The fecal shield is a structure formed by the larvae of many species of beetles in the leaf beetle family, Chrysomelidae. It is composed of the frass of the insect and often its exuviae, or bits of shed exoskeleton. The beetle may carry the shield on its back or wield it upon its posterior end. The main function of the fecal shield is defense against predators. Other terms for the fecal shield noted in the literature include "larval clothing", "kotanhang", "faecal mask", "faecal pad", and "exuvio-faecal annex".
Proseicela is a genus of leaf beetles.
Acallepitrix is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are more than 20 described species in Acallepitrix. They are found in the Neotropics, Central America, and North America.
Ischyrosonychini is a tribe of tortoise beetles and hispines in the family Chrysomelidae. There are about 7 genera and at least 70 described species in Ischyrosonychini.
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.
Acromis is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. The three species of this genus are found in Southern America. These species exhibit subsociality, where the females lay clusters of eggs that she guards until they hatch, the larvae mature, pupate, and young adults disperse.
Platypria (Platypria) erinaceus, is a species of leaf beetle native to India and Sri Lanka.
Laccoptera (Laccopteroidea) quatuordecimnotata, is a species of leaf beetle native to India, and Sri Lanka.
Aproidini is a tribe of tortoise and leaf-mining beetles (Cassidinae) with three recognized species.
Omocerini is a Neotropical tribe of tortoise beetles containing 12 genera and about 145 species. Individuals use plants in the genera Borago and Cordia (Boraginaceae) and Hyptis (Lamiaceae) as host plants. The life cycle of one species has been described.
Poneridia is a genus of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. There are at least seven described species in Poneridia, found in Australasia and Indomalaya.
Doryphora is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. It includes nine species from Central and South America.
