NOTE: As of 2014, the California Beetle Project page is no longer updated. The original database and list of California beetles in the menu on the left will remain for the time being, but the information contained within is not necessarily current. SBMNH Entomology Curator Matthew L. Gimmel has divided up the function of the original database into two conceptual halves:

The SBMNH Entomology specimen-level database, including all SBMNH beetle specimens included in the CBP database, which is now available (and ever-growing) through the ecdysis portal at https://serv.biokic.asu.edu/ecdysis/
A literature- (and available specimen-)based checklist.

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Last updated 01/16/2009

California Beetle Project > Species Pages >Cryptocephalus confluentus melanoscelus

Classification

Scientific name: Cryptocephalus confluentus melanoscelus White
Common name: Leaf beetle
Order Coleoptera
Superfamily Chrysomeloidea
Family Chrysomelidae

Images (click to enlarge)

What it looks like: 4.5 to 6.0 mm in length. Its dorsal (top) side is shiny and most of its ventral side has short, sparse, whitish hairs. The pronotum has a light orange color with black markings and the elytra are creamy yellow to very light orange. Each elytron has thick, longitudinal black stripes. The legs are brownish to black.

Where you'll find it: In the literature this beetle has only previously been reported from San Mateo County, California. It can also be found in Santa Barbara County.

Natural History: These beetles feed on plants like coyote brush, yellow rabbitbrush, sticky snakeweed, and sagebrush.

This page was written by Vanessa Gamero, a 2005 participant in the Quasars to Sea Stars teen program.