Hemisphaerota cyanea (say) is a common, dark blue tortoise beetle that occurs along the coastal regions of Texas that occasionally causes minor damage to various palms.
Adult beetles are about 3/16 inch long, gun-metal blue to purple in color, and resemble a tortoise in shape and compactness (Fig. 1). The elytra or wing covers are deeply pitted with convex ridges between the pits. The antennae are yellow except the black basal segment. The head is often nearly concealed beneath the pronotum. The larvae are yellowish to white grubs with lateral abdominal projections. Each larva forms a case from strands of fecal material in which it is camouflaged. The abdomen is fitted with a structure called a fecal fork which holds the case in position. The case is composed of strands of fecal material arranged in a circular fashion resembling plant fibers.
The life history of this insect has not been investigated thoroughly. Adults and larvae feed on palm foliage, and pupation occurs within the larval case. Adults have been found in every month of the year in Florida.
This species is apparently restricted to species of palms, both native and exotic. It has been recorded from Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Griseb. & Wendl.) Wendl. Ex Beccari, Arecastrum romanzoffianum (Cham.) Becc., Chamaerops humilis L., Cocos nucifera L., Sabal etonia Swingle, Sabal minor (Jacq.) Pers., Sabal palmetto (Walt.) Lodd., Serenoa repens (Bartram Small), and Washingtonia robusta Wendl.
Although not reported as a serious pest, the adults and larvae produce feeding scars on the leaves They have been found in largest numbers on the native Sabal palmetto and Serenoa repens in Florida. In Texas, they have been predominantly found on Washingtonia robusta (Jackman 1976).
This species is known only from Georgia, Florida and Coastal Texas counties although it might occur in other Gulf States where palms are found. It has been reported from Kentucky but probably in error since no palms grow there.
Although no insecticide is specifically registered for the control of this species, this species should respond to products registered for the control of leaf beetles on palms.
Barber, H. S 1916. A review of the north american tortoise beetles. Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington 18(2):113127.
Blackwelder, R. E. 1946. Checklist of the coleopterous insects of Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and South America. U.S. Nat'l Mus. Bull. 185(4):734.
Blatchley, W.S. 1924. The Chrysomelidae of Florida Ent. 8(3 & 4):39-46.
Boving, a. G., & F. C. Craighead. 1931. An illustrated synopsis of the principal larvae forms of the order coleoptera. Brooklyn Ent. Soc., Brooklyn, N. Y., 351 P.; 125 Pl.
Jackman, J.A. 1976. A tortoise beetle, Hemisphaerota cyanea, on palms in Texas. Southwestern Entomol. 1(4):181-183.
Say, Thomas. 1823. Descriptions of coleopterous insects collected in the late expedition to the
rocky mountains, performed by order of Mr. Calhoun, secretary of war, under the command of
Major Long. Jour. Cad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3:435-436.
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1993
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Last modified: March 18, 1997 by Edgar Cross