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Gravid Leaf Beetle

Photo by LaurenZarate
Published on Project Noah
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16.6927, -92.8208

Field Notes

Description:

When I first saw this, I thought it was a Shield Bug nymph! Looking closer it is a female Leaf Beetle with the abdomen so extended with eggs that the elytra are reduced to a small part of the upper abdomen. 8 mm in length. Metallic green. The normal size of the beetle would be no longer than the elytra. Family Chrysomelidae.

Habitat:

Heavy shrubbery along the highway between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Tuxtla Gutierrez, km 11.5, 865 meters.

Species ID Suggestions

Gravid Leaf beetle

Metacycla sp.
thaptor
1

Comments (5)
KarenL
How interesting! I've removed this from the brooding behavior mission as that mission is for adults demonstrating parental care of their eggs or young rather than gravid invertebrates. The reason for this is many insects will lay eggs & provide no care thereafter, & the mission is to highlight those species that do.

Spotted for Missions

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Mexico Horn of Plenty
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Beetles!
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National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 12, 2013

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