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Lantana Leafminer
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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pair of Lantana Leafminers
Photograph copyright: ozwildlife - all rights reserved. Used with permission.
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LANTANA LEAFMINER FACTS |
Identification
The Lantana Leafminer is a small shiny brown beetle. The wing covers are rectangular and have corrugations along the length. It has several golden brown spots on the wing covers, and golden coloured legs. The beaded antennae are fairly short and stout.
Other Names
Lantana Leaf Beetle
Size
length 15mm
Habitat
forests and woodland
Food
Larvae feed on lantana leaves. Damaged leaves can be shed, causing the plant to become stunted.
Breeding
Eggs are laid on Lantana leaves. The larvae feed through middle leaf layers, forming mines—usually two per leaf, each containing a single larva. Pupation occurs in the leaves.
Range
The Lantana Leafminer occurs naturally in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It was first released in Australia in 1966. In Australia it is found from far north Queensland to Sydney, and also around Darwin.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Coleoptera | | Family: | Chrysomelidae | | Genus: | Uroplata | | Species: | girardi | | Common Name: | Lantana Leafminer |
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