Biology:Epilachna borealis

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Short description: Species of beetle

Epilachna borealis
Southern Squash Ladybeetle.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Coccinellidae
Genus: Epilachna
Species:
E. borealis
Binomial name
Epilachna borealis
(Fabricius, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Coccinella borealis Fabricius, 1775

Epilachna borealis is a species of beetle that can commonly be found in the eastern United States . It is yellow with seven large black spots on each elytron and four small black spots on the pronotum. The species feeds on cucurbitaceous plants. Its common name is squash beetle.[1] It is often mistaken for a ladybug or a cucumber beetle because of its similar appearance.

Biology

The beetle lays a cluster of small yellow eggs on the leaf surfaces of cucurbitaceous plants.[2] Both adult beetles and larvae feed on leaf tissue in between veins,[3] and usually start by producing a semi-circle trench around their intended feeding area.[4] Adult squash beetles can also be found feeding on the rind of pumpkins and squash later in the season.[5]

References

  1. The Common Insects of North America by Lester A. Swan and Charles S. Papp, 1972, page 412
  2. Boucher, Jude (2014). "Squash Beetle". http://ipm.uconn.edu/documents/raw2/html/672.php. "'Eggs are yellow and stand erect on the leaf surface in a loose cluster with space between each egg.'" 
  3. "Squash Beetle - Vegetables". https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/squash-beetle-vegetables. 
  4. Boucher, Jude (2014). "Squash Beetle". http://ipm.uconn.edu/documents/raw2/html/672.php. "'Both adults and larvae start feeding by producing a trench around the leaf tissue that they intend to consume.'" 
  5. Boucher, Jude (2014). "Squash Beetle". http://ipm.uconn.edu/documents/raw2/html/672.php. "'Late in the season, large numbers of adult beetles may be found feeding on the rind of a single or many adjacent squash and pumpkin fruit.'" 

Wikidata ☰ Q2646913 entry