Potato beetles - Chrysomelidae

The Chrysomelidae family is very diverse. Several sub-families are recognized and are easy to differentiate. Many economically important pests on cultivated plants come from the Chrysomelidae. Oulema biliniata and Oulema triliniata is some of the economically important species as they feed on Solanaceae plants (Potato family) and can cause considerable damage.  The larvae of the Chrysomelidae are quite typical. They are sub cylindrical and soft-bodied, but lack the prolegs on the abdomen. The abdominal segments are often enlarged, giving the larva a humpbacked appearance.    

Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae)

The Chrysomelidae constitute another vast family of plant-eating beetles whose various subfamilies show interesting differences in their biology. Both adult and larvae feed on vegetation and can cause damage in the garden, especially on plants in the potato family. The adult beetles are often interestingly coloured with black markings. The larvae of leaf beetles resemble slugs, as they are black and slimy. The Bushmen used specific leaf beetles for poison on their arrows. Leaf beetles have a quick lifecycle and there can be 5 or 6 generations in one year. Leaf beetles are also called fool’s gold beetles, as they often are beautifully shiny.    

Eumolpinae