Luperus viridipennis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Galerucinae.[1][2][3]
| Luperus viridipennis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female on alder | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Chrysomelidae |
| Subfamily: | Galerucinae |
| Tribe: | Luperini |
| Genus: | Luperus |
| Species: | L. viridipennis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Luperus viridipennis Germar, 1824
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Distribution and habitat
editThis species is mainly present in most of Europe (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and Ukraine)[4][5] and in Central Asia.
These montane beetles occur in the Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, South Urals and in mountains of Central Asia, [6] at an elevation of 1,350–1,600 metres (4,430–5,250 ft) above sea level.[7]
Description
editLuperus viridipennis can reach a body length of 3.75–4.15 mm. [8] Males are rather smaller than females. These chrysomelid beetles have punctuated bluish-black elytrae and an orange pronotum. The head shows reddish mandibles and prominent eyes. The first antennal sections and the legs are partly reddish, while the base of femurs and tarsi are brownish. [9]
Biology
editAdults can be found from July to August. [7] This polyphagous species parasites various deciduous trees, but lives mainly on alder (mainly on Alnus viridis) and damages their leaves.[10] These beetles can also be found on Betula, Fagus, Ribes andSorbus species. Larvae feed on grass roots. They hibernate as mature larvae. [11]
References
edit- ^ Biolib
- ^ Chrysomelidae.it
- ^ Biodiversity Map at Biomap.pl
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ GBIF
- ^ Cassidae.uni
- ^ a b Pawlowski J. The Beetles of Babia Gora Mountain (Polish Western Carpathians
- ^ J. M. Vela and G. Bastazo - Morphological and genital patterns distinguishing Luperus Geoffroy, 1762 and Calomicrus Dillwyn, 1824 (Col. Chrysomelidae)
- ^ Les Insectes. Les Chrysomeles, une famille colorée mais souvent phytophage
- ^ Entomofauna of the Kuril Islands
- ^ Plant Parasites of Europe