oval leaf beetle

(Rhabdopterus spp.)

Overview
oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus sp.)
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 
  Rhabdopterus is a genus of oval leaf beetles. They occur in eastern North America, Central America, and western South America. There are about 70 described species worldwide, 8 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 2 species in Minnesota. It is rare in Minnesota, where it is at the northwest extent of its range. Adults are found in late spring and summer in a variety of habitats feeding on a variety of plants, including oak, carrionflower, and grape. They are active at night and are attracted to lights.      
           
 
Description
 
 

Adults are generally oval in shape with straight sides along the middle. They are dark reddish-brown to blackish with a metallic iridescence. The head is fully visible when viewed from above. The exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum) is smooth, shiny, and covered with very fine pits (punctures). It is narrower than the bases of the hardened wing covers (elytra).

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 82.

 
  11/2/2020      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Coleoptera (beetles)  
 

Suborder

Polyphaga (water, rove, scarab, long-horned, leaf, and snout beetles)  
 

Infraorder

Cucujiformia  
 

Superfamily

Chrysomeloidea (leaf beetles and allies)  
 

Family

Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles)  
 

Subfamily

Eumolpinae (oval leaf beetles)  
 

Tribe

Eumolpini  
  Subtribe Iphimeites  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

cranberry rootworm (Rhabdopterus picipes)

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus bottimeri)

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus deceptor) (?)

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus fulvipes)

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus guatemalensis)

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus mexicanus)

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus praetextus) (?)

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus weisei)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

This genus has no common name. The common name of the subfamily Eumolpinae is oval leaf beetles, and it is used here for convenience.

 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Elytra

The hardened or leathery forewings of beetles used to protect the fragile hindwings, which are used for flying. Singular: elytron.

 

Pronotum

The exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

Share your photo of this insect.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption.
 
 

Alfredo Colon

 
    oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus sp.)      
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           
           

 

Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
 
     
     
     

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

Share your video of this insect.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.
 
 

 

 
     
     
       
       
       
 
Other Videos
 
     
     
     
       

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this insect.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  Alfredo Colon
8/6/2019

Location: Woodbury, MN

oval leaf beetle (Rhabdopterus sp.)  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

 

 

 

 

Binoculars


Created: 11/2/2020

Last Updated:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved.