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| Blount Co., TN | |
Giles Co., VA |
| Labidomera clivicollis on Asclepias tuberosa |
Examination of specimens held in the LSU State Arthropod
Museum confirms that they are the same species. There is a great deal of variation in elytral pattern in this species.
I have observed both forms here in Blount Co.
During the summer of 1998, I examined over 5000 plants (mostly A. tuberosa, many A. syriaca, and a few A. incarnata)
during the summer of 1998 and found only 3 beetles. I suspect the main problem is that A. tuberosa is most prevalent in pastures, and flowers at about the time
these pastures are being mowed for hay. Any beetles on the flowering plants are killed in the process.
In summer 2000, I observed 6 beetles, while examining only a few dozens of plants. I ignored areas subject to mowing, and found four on
A. tuberosa, including the mating pair below. I also saw two on A. syriaca which I had planted two years ago. |
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| Although intimately associated with Asclepias milkweeds as
adults, Blatchley (1910) stated that they sometimes overwinter in the leaves of mullein.
Several of the specimens in the LSU Arthropod Museum had been collected by sweeping soybean plants. |
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References
- Blatchley, W.S. 1910. The Coleoptera or Beetles Known to Occur in Indiana. The Nature Publishing Company, Indianapolis.
- Dillon, E.S., and L.S. Dillon. 1961. A Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America. Row, Peterson and Company, Evanston, NY.
- Emmons, E. 1854. The Natural History of New York. Part V: Agriculture. D. Appleton & Co. and Wiley & Putnam, New York.
- Harris, T.W. 1862. A Treatise on some of the Insects Injurious to Vegetation, 3rd Edition. William White, Publisher to the State, Boston.
- Packard, A.S., Jr., M.D. 1883. Guide to the Study of Insects and A Treatise on Those Injurious and Beneficial to Crops, 8th Edition. Henry Holt and Company, New York.
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All images © 1999 by Jay Comeaux unless otherwise noted. |
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