Abstract:
Taxonomic studies on Tortoise beetles (Coleptera: Chrysomelidae:
Cassidinae) of Kerala were made with the objectives of identification of tortoise
beetles of Kerala, provide descriptions and diagnosis of tortoise beetle taxa of Kerala
and to gather information on host plants and distribution. Three hundred and eleven
specimens from 48 locations were studied. The study treated 33 species of cassidines
belonging to 11 genera under four tribes. Ten species previously recorded from the
state could not be collected or studied. Description and diagnosis of all the taxa
studied are provided. Information on distribution and host plants are also given.
The study recognizes 43 species of tortoise beetles, belonging to 11 genera
classified under four tribes in Kerala. Of the 12 cassidine tribes, Aspidimorphini,
Basiprionotini, Notosacanthini and Cassidini occur in Kerala. Cassidini is the largest
tribe represented by 18 species in four genera (Cassida, Chridopsis, Oocassida and
Silana), followed by Aspidimorphini with 10 species in 3 genera (Aspidimorpha,
Laccoptera and Nilgiriaspis). Basiprionotini, which are large tortoise beetles, are
represented by five species in three genera viz. Basiprionota, Craspedonta and
Epistictina. Notosacanthini, with a single genus Notosacantha, includes 10 species in
Kerala. One genus (Basiprionota) and eight species here recorded are new to Kerala.
The species newly recorded for Kerala are Cassida nysea Spaeth, 1926, Craspedonta
leayana Latreille, 1807, Nilgiraspis andrewesi Spaeth, 1932, Notosacantha
bifenestrella (Boheman, 1862), Notosacantha maduraensis Swietojanska, 2006,
Notosacantha shibathai Kimoto, 1981, Notosacantha vicaria Spaeth, 1913 and
Oocassida cruenta (Fabricius, 1792), of which Notosacantha shibathai is new to
India as well.
Trophic selections of cassidines are skewed towards members of
Covolvulaceae, followed by Asteraceae, Rhamnaceae, Amaranthaceae, Bignoniaceae,
Euphorbiaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Rutaceae, Fabaceae and Verbenaceae. Seven
cassidine species are reported as pests of sweet potato (Aspidimorpha furcata, A.
fuscopunctata, A. miliaris, A. sanctaecruces, Laccoptera nepalensis, Cassida
circumdata and Chiridopsis bipunctata). Craspedonta lealyana on Gmelina arborea,
Silana farinosa on curry leaf, Murraya koenigii and Epistictina reicheana on
Stereospermum colais are serious pests.
