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NATURAL HISTORY NOTES ON STOLAS REDTENBACHERI (BOHEMAN, 1850) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: CASSIDINAE: MESOMPHALIINI) IN BRAZIL

Abstract:

The first natural history data are reported for the tortoise beetle Stolas redtenbacheri (Boheman, 1850) (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Mesomphaliini). A species of Mikania Willd. (Asteraceae) is recorded as the host plant. Eggs are aggregated into loose clusters, with each egg sessile (no stalk) on the leaf or petiole substrate. Larvae and adults eat the leaves. All instars retain an exuvio-fecal shield and are gregarious. Pupae are solitary and retain the fifth instar's exuviae. Behavioral and morphological traits reported in this work are compared across the documented species of Stolas Billberg, 1820 to identify gaps of information and how phylogenetic character hypotheses may be refined.