Leaf Beetle larvae

Poneridia semipullata (Clark, 1864)
Leaf Beetle
(formerly known as Galleruca semipullata)
CHRYSOMELIDAE , COLEOPTERA

Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Stella Crossley

Poneridia genus
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

These grubs are not true Caterpillars, but are the larvae of various leaf beetles in the family CHRYSOMELIDAE. Some the larvae are pale yellow with a yellow or black head. As they develop, they acquire black spikes or warts along the body.

(Photo: courtesy of Chris Quinn, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales)

Later they can become entirely dark grey. They grow to a length of about 2 cms. They are often communal, eating in a group the leaves of their food tree. They have been found feeding on a variety of species of tree, including

Fig ( Ficus, MORACEAE), and

Pittosporum ( Pittosporum PITTOSPORACEAE).

Lamprolina genus
(Photo: courtesy of Isobel Lerpiniere, New South Wales)

Other species of beetle larvae in the family CHRYSOMELIDAE feed on the foliage of other trees.

The adult beetles often have a brown head and thorax. and dark wing cases. The adult beetles usually feed on the foliage of the same trees as the larvae.

These beetles are found in

New South Wales, and

Further reading :

Rev. H. Clark,
Descriptions of new Australian Phytophaga,
Journal of Entomology,
Volume 2, Part 11 (1864), p. 257.