Lema daturaphila

Lema daturaphila
	Lema daturaphila
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Chrysomelidae
Subfamily:	Criocerinae
Tribe:	Lemini
Genus:	Lema
Species:	L. daturaphila
Binomial name
	Lema daturaphila; Kogan and Goeden, 1970
Synonyms
	Lema trilineata (Olivier, 1808); Crioceris trilineata Olivier, 1808; Lema trivittata Say 1824;

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.
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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[1] Volesky, Nick (2020-12-01). "Three-Lined Potato Beetle". All Current Publications: 1–3.

[UoNH-2] Eaton, A. T. (2015). "Three-Lined Potato Beetle" (PDF). University of New Hampshire. Retrieved 2017-07-28.

[3] "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.

[4] Hahn, J. (2003). "Threelined potato beetle". University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2017-07-28.

[5] 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.