Natural history notes on Cyrtonota sericinus (Erichson, 1847) in Ecuador (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini)

Abstract

The first natural history data is reported for the tortoise beetle, Cyrtonota serinus (Erichson, 1847) (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini). An Ipomoea sp. (Convolvulaceae) is recorded as the host plant. Larvae and adults feed on the leaves. Larvae retain an exuvio-fecal shield and are gregarious. Adults are sexually dimorphic and polymorphic in sizes and coloration.

Keywords

• ipomoea
• leaf beetle
• larvae
• gregarious
• feses