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Published September 21, 2015 | Version v1
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Bionomics of the Tamarix leaf beetle, Cryptocephalus sinaita moricei Pic, 1908 (Chrysomelidae: Cryptocephalinae)

Creators

  • 1. Department of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel & Israel Nature Protection and National Parks Authority, Central region, Afek National Park, Rosh-Ha'Ayin, 48101 Israel
  • 2. Israel Nature Protection and National Parks Authority, Central region, Afek National Park, Rosh-Ha'Ayin, 48101 Israel

Description

Cryptocephalus sinaita moricei Pic, 1908 is a phytophagous leaf-beetle, whose adults and larvae feed on Tamarix shoots and leaves. After mating, the fe­male oviposits and simultaneously covers each egg with dark anal secretion. Approximately half of the eggs are dropped beneath the tree, while the rest are ad­hered to the tree shoots. The larva constructs a case that apparently provides pro­tection from natural enemies. Developmental duration from the egg to adult takes three months under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2 °C. In contrast to most congeners, C. s. moricei larvae can survive only on fresh shoots and leaves but not on de­caying ones. Accordingly, the ground-hatching larvae quickly locate a tree and climb up to the canopy to feed. When fully fed, the majority of larvae drop off the tree and pupate on the ground, whereas a minority pupate on the tree, at­taching themselves to twigs. Life history strategies, particularly regarding ovi­position, feeding and pupation, are discussed.

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Is cited by
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CF44D3F3-A418-4638-BCB9-846C9CD09EC0 (LSID)
Is part of
2224-6304 (ISSN)

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