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Pyrrhalta

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Pyrrhalta
Pyrrhalta viburni
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Chrysomelidae
Subfamily: Galerucinae
Tribe: Galerucini
Genus: Pyrrhalta
de Joannis, 1865
Species

111-115, see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Chapalia Laboissière, 1929
  • Decoomanius Laboissière, 1927
  • ?Tricholochmaea Laboissière, 1932

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.[2]

Description

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Pyrrhalta is a genus of leaf beetles within the subfamily Galerucinae of the family Chrysomelidae, distributed across the Holarctic, Oriental, and Australian regions.  Members of this genus are characterized by an elongated body shape, typically measuring between 4.5 and 6.5 mm in length.[3] The coloration varies among species, often presenting hues ranging from yellowish to brown, with some exhibiting distinctive markings on the elytra.[4][3] The head and thorax are generally covered with fine, dense hairs.[3] The antennae are moderately long, usually extending to about half the body length, and are filiform in structure.[4] The legs are slender, adapted for clinging to foliage, with tarsal claws that may exhibit a bifid structure.[3] The pronotum is typically narrower than the elytra and may display punctate or smooth textures, depending on the species.[4]

Taxonomy

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The taxonomy of the genus is not clear. Species are separated from those of other genera by the sometimes inconsistent comparison of questionable characters, such as the distribution of minute hairs.[2] There is also little agreement on how to divide the group into subgenera. Former subgenera such as Xanthogaleruca are treated as separate genera by some authors, but not accepted as such by others.[2]

A definition of the genus used by some authors includes characters such as a hairy pronotum and elytra, gena (the spaces below the eyes) longer than the eyes themselves, and a labrum with a line of hairy pores.[5]

This is one of the largest genera of the leaf beetle subfamily Galerucinae, with about 111[6] to 115 species.[2]

Habitat

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Pyrrhalta is a genus within the Chrysomelidae family, encompassing several species of leaf beetles, each with distinct habitat preferences. Notably, Pyrrhalta viburni, commonly known as the viburnum leaf beetle, is native to Europe and Asia but has expanded its range to North America.[7] This species predominantly inhabits regions where Viburnum species are present, as both larvae and adults feed exclusively on these plants. In North America, P. viburni has been documented in various northeastern states, where it has spread extensively, posing a threat to native and cultivated Viburnum populations.[8][7] A spread southward has been indicated, however, the spread is suggested to be limited by the necessity for prolonged chilling periods to properly develop their eggs.[9][8]

Another species, Pyrrhalta luteola, known as the elm leaf beetle, originates from the Palearctic region. It has been introduced to multiple areas, including North America, Argentina, Chile, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Siberia, and South Africa.[10] This beetle primarily inhabits regions where elm trees (Ulmus spp.) are found, as they serve as its primary host plants. The elm leaf beetle is often encountered in urban landscapes, particularly in areas where elm trees are prevalent.[10]

The habitats of Pyrrhalta species are closely linked to the distribution of their host plants. Consequently, these beetles are typically found in environments such as forests, woodlands, urban parks, and gardens where suitable host plants are abundant. The expansion of their range, especially in non-native regions, is often facilitated by the widespread planting of their preferred host species.[7][9]

Morphology

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Larvae of Pyrrhalta species are typically greenish-yellow upon hatching, developing dark spots as they mature, giving them a darker appearance.[4] Mature larvae measure approximately 10 to 11 mm in length and have a slightly depressed, sub-cylindrical body shape.[11]

The internal sac of the male aedeagus in certain Pyrrhalta species bears hand saw-like spines arranged in a row, which are used during copulation.[12] These spines can cause wounds to the female's reproductive tract, a phenomenon known as traumatic insemination.[12]

Morphological variations, such as differences in elytral coloration and genitalia structure, are used to differentiate species within the genus. For instance, some species exhibit entirely black elytra, while others have distinct colour patterns.[4] Detailed examination of these traits, including the morphology of the aedeagus and internal sac spines, is essential for accurate species identification.

Selected species

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Species include:[2][5][13][14]

Life Cycle

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The insect displays a univoltine breeding pattern with one generation of offspring per year.[11] This includes an egg, larvae, pupa and an adult stage of life. The females lay the eggs on the underside of leaves coated with a protective layer they secrete.[17] Eggs are laid anytime in the warmer months to protect against freezing. These insects can be susceptible to parasites during the pupal stages of development. Once infected the insects chances of the insect reaching adulthood decreases considerably.[18] The larva and adult stages can be destructive to foliage by feeding heavily on viburnum species.

Female Pyrrhalta viburni feeding

Threats to agriculture

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A number of Pyrrhalta are considered pests.[13] The species Pyrrhalta viburni has received attention as a Eurasian beetle introduced to North America with the potential to do significant damage to native and cultivated viburnum plants.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lee, C.-F.; Bezděk, J. (2021). "Revision of the genera Xanthogaleruca Laboissière, 1932 and Pyrrhalta Joannis, 1865 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae) of Taiwan, with type designation of Galerucella lineatipes Takei". ZooKeys (1039): 1–108. Bibcode:2021ZooK.1039....1L. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1039.64740. PMC 8159918. PMID 34084064.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Nie, R. E., et al. (2013). Notes on black elytron species of Pyrrhalta Joannis and the description of a new species from China (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae). ZooKeys 289 41-56.
  3. ^ a b c d "EENY366/IN656: Viburnum Leaf Beetle Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)". Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  4. ^ a b c d e Nie R-E, Zhou D-K, Xue H-J, Yang X-K (2013) Notes on black elytron species of Pyrrhalta Joannis and the description of a new species from China (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae). ZooKeys 289: 41–56. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.289.4266
  5. ^ a b c Bezděk, J. (2007). Notes on the Galerucini from India and Sri Lanka, with description of Pyrrhalta warchalowskii n. sp. from Tamil Nadu state, India (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae). Archived 2015-12-25 at the Wayback Machine Genus 18(4) 603-12.
  6. ^ Huai-jun, X. and Y. Xing-ke. (2010). Species catalogue of Pyrrhalta Joannis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) of the world. Entomotaxonomia.
  7. ^ a b c Murray, Todd; Looney, Chris; LaGasa, Eric; Collman, Sharon J. (2016). "Distribution of Two Invasive Leaf Beetles, Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull) and Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Washington State". The Coleopterists Bulletin. 70 (2): 368–371. doi:10.1649/0010-065X-70.2.368. ISSN 0010-065X. JSTOR 24773762.
  8. ^ a b Chris T. Maier "Range Expansion of the Viburnum Leaf Beetle, Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull, 1799) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Connecticut," Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington121(1), 54-62, (11 February 2019). https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.121.1.54
  9. ^ a b "Viburnum Leaf Beetle : Landscape : Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at UMass Amherst". www.umass.edu. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  10. ^ a b "Pyrrhalta luteola (elm leaf beetle)". CABI Compendium. CABI Compendium: 44619. 2010-08-11. doi:10.1079/cabicompendium.44619.
  11. ^ a b Weston, Paul A.; Desurmont, Gaylord A. (2008-08-01). "Pupation by Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Behavioral Description and Impact of Environmental Variables and Entomopathogenic Nematodes". Environmental Entomology. 37 (4): 845–849. doi:10.1093/ee/37.4.845. ISSN 0046-225X. PMID 18801247.
  12. ^ a b Matsumura, Yoko; Suenaga, Haruki; Kamimura, Yoshitaka; Gorb, Stanislav N. (2017-12-11). "Traumatic mating by hand saw-like spines on the internal sac in Pyrrhalta maculicollis (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)". ZooKeys (720): 77–89. Bibcode:2017ZooK..720...77M. doi:10.3897/zookeys.720.13015. ISSN 1313-2970.
  13. ^ a b c Sprecher-Uebersax, E. and S. Zoia. (2002). Pyrrhalta medvedevi sp. nov., a new species from the Nepal Himalayas (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae). Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 75 161-67.
  14. ^ Park, J. Y. and J. E. Lee. (2004). A taxonomic study on the larvae of the genus Pyrrhalta Joannis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) from Korea. Entomological Research 34(4) 229-34.
  15. ^ Satoh, A. (2002). Within-plant distribution of the eggs and larvae of two congeneric chrysomelid beetles on the same host plant. Entomological Science 5(2), 171-78.
  16. ^ Skomorokhov, M. O. (2011). To the knowledge of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) from the islands of southern Vietnam. Russian Entomological Journal 20(2) 197-99.
  17. ^ Desurmont, Gaylord A.; Kerdellant, Elven; Pfingstl, Tobias; Auger, Phillipe; Tixier, Marie-Stéphane; Kreiter, Serge (2019-03-31). "Mites associated with egg masses of the viburnum leaf beetle Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull) on Viburnum tinus L." Acarologia. 59 (1): 57–72. doi:10.24349/acarologia/20194311. ISSN 0044-586X.
  18. ^ "ZooBank.org". zoobank.org. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  19. ^ Majka, C. G. and L. LeSage. (2007). Introduced leaf beetles of the maritime provinces, 3: The viburnum leaf beetle, Pyrrhalta viburni (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Proceedings - Entomological Society of Washington 109(2), 454-62.
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