Open-access An overview of the Brazilian Chrysomelidae (Insecta: Coleoptera): the most species-rich beetle family in Brazil

Authors: LINZMEIER, A. - University Of Paranaense - Universidade Paranaense; MOURA, LUCIANO - University Of Brazil; SEKERKA, LUKAS - National Museum Czech Republic; RIBERIO-COSTA, CIBELE STRAMARE - University Of Brazil; MANFIO, DAIARA - University Of Brazil; AGRAIN, F. - Consejo Nacional De Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas(CONICET); Chamorro, Maria; MORSE, GEOFFREY - University Of San Diego; REGALIN, RENATO - Universit Di Milano

Submitted to: Zoology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/2024
Publication Date: 12/20/2024
Citation: Linzmeier, A.M., Moura, L., Sekerka, L., Riberio-Costa, C., Manfio, D., Agrain, F.A., Chamorro, M.L., Morse, G.E., Regalin, R. 2024. Open-access An overview of the Brazilian Chrysomelidae (Insecta: Coleoptera): the most species-rich beetle family in Brazil. Zoology. 41. Article e23092. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-4689.v41.e23092.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-4689.v41.e23092

Interpretive Summary: Leaf beetles are among the most economically important insects as many species are pests of crops or may be used as agents to control noxious weeds. Understanding baseline data of agriculturally important groups is fundamental to our ability to identify, manage, and understand beetles that may pose a threat. Scientists from around the world collaborated to provide an updated checklist of the known leaf beetles of Brazil. This paper summarizes those findings and provides an overview of each of the subfamilies found in Brazil. Currently 6,079 species of leaf beetles in 562 genera are known from Brazil. Of these, 951 species are known to occur only in Brazil. The family stands out as the most diverse group of beetles in Brazil, representing 4.8% of the Brazilian fauna and 17.1% of the beetle species. Leaf beetles consist of twelve subfamilies with nine reported in Brazil. Galerucine leaf beetles, which includes the flea beetles, is the most diverse group with 1,916 species in 202 genera. This resource and this updated database will better prepare farmers, foresters, federal and local regulatory and inspection agencies, against the threat of invasive species around the country and the world.

Technical Abstract: The leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are one of the richest family of herbivorous beetles with about 45,000 species worldwide. Based on the contributions of chrysomelidologists to the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna – CTFB the family comprises 6,079 species in 562 genera from which 951 species are endemic from Brazil. The family stands out as the most diverse, representing 4.8% of the Brazilian fauna and 17.1% of the beetle species. Chrysomelidae has twelve subfamilies with nine reported to Brazil: Galerucinae, the richest with 1,916 species in 202 genera, followed by Cassidinae, Eumolpinae, Cryptocephalinae, Chrysomelinae, Bruchinae, Criocerinae, Lamprosomatinae and Sagrinae with only one species. Most of these subfamilies need urgent revision, since many species are poorly characterized, and polymorphism is frequent in some groups. Furthermore, data about natural history, host plants, parasites, ecology are needed to better understand the interactions among Brazilian Chrysomelidae at different trophic levels.