Research On Chrysomelidae

There are an estimated 40,000 species of chrysomelids, or leaf beetles, worldwide. These biologically interesting and often colorful organisms, such as the tortoise beetles, have a broad range of life histories and fascinating adaptations. For example, there are chrysomelids with shortened wings (brachypterous) and elytra (brachelytrous), other species are viviparous, and yet other leaf beetles have complicated anti predator-parasitoid defenses. Some species, such as corn rootworms (several species in the genus "Diabrotica") constitute major agricultural crop pests. "Research on Chrysomelidae 2" is a the second volume of a series of volumes on the Chrysomelidae edited by Jolivet, Santiago-Blay, and Schmitt.

Research on Chrysomelidae vol. 3 continues a series which began under Brill Academic Publishers, Leiden, with volume 1 in 2008. Volume 2 appeared in 2009 and had four regularly submitted papers and the Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on the Chrysomelidae (held 6-8 July, 2008 at Durban, South Africa) with nine papers based on presentations to this meeting. The present volume also combines a number of regular papers with the proceedings of a symposium. In 2010, the European Symposium on the Biology of the Chrysomelidae was held within the frame of the IXth European Congress of Entomology (ECE) at Budapest, Hungary, on August 23. Hungary ? as the host country of the congress - has a long tradition of entomological research and always had a marked bridging role in the social life of entomologists of Europe. The ECE has been co-organized by the Hungarian Entomological Society which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. The Hungarian Entomological Society is one of the oldest scientific societies in Hungary with continuous activity, including the 1950s, when most Hungarian societies were dissolved by the communist government. This congress offered an important opportunity for entomologist to exchange ideas, results, and social matters. On top of all, the city of Budapest provided a beautiful background to this memorable scientific and social event. We, the organisers of the Symposium on Chrysomelidae, are proud and happy to see our conference represented by five papers based on contributions to it in vol. 157 of ZooKeys (Research on Chrysomelidae vol. 3). Four more papers on leaf beetles complete this volume. We thank authors and publishers for helping to make research on leaf beetles more visible and easier to access.

As in most groups of insects, scientific research on the Chrysomelidae began in Europe in 1758, with the description of a few genera and species by the Scandinavian entomologists C. von Linne, I.C. Fabricius, and others. As the 19th century dawned, many systematic entomologists took up the study of chrysomelid beetles, together with other groups of beetles, and many new species and genera were described from all parts of the world. This trend has, of course, continued down to the present time. However, researches on the Chrysomelidae did not remain restricted to systematics, and many new lines of study have been followed, especially in the present century, by workers who have benefitted from the advances made in related fields of pure and applied entomology. Much has been achieved in the study of the Chrysomelidae, as elsewhere, and it is the aim of the present book to provide a summary and guide to these achievements. It is also to be expected that this book will provide a stimulus for further studies on the Chrysomelidae, so that we can anticipate continuing progress in our knowledge and understanding of this group through the endeavours of an ever-increasing number of scientists. I offer my congratulations to all concerned in the preparation of this book and my best wishes for its success.

The mode of life of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) might appear less interesting, as compared to free and fast roaming and hunting ground beetles (Carabidae), eusocial bees (Apidae), or so many other behaviourally fascinating insects. Chrysomelids generally hatch from eggs, which are typically laid onto their food plants. Larvae eat, moult, and pupate on or very close to these plants. Following emergence as adults reproduction often proceeds without complex courting and, in most cases, without eating much or moving for longer distances. All of this is quite insect-like and seemingly pedestrian. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of host plant selection, the wide range of defensive devices, the multifariousness of shapes and the gaudiness of colours of their body ? to name just a few phenomena of their biology ? continuously fascinate quite a number of scientists, let aside many other beetle enthusiasts. Every four years, in connection with the International Congresses of Entomology, an informal group of leaf beetle workers meets for an International Symposium on the Chrysomelidae. Last time, we met on August 23, 2012, in Daegu, South Korea for the 24th International Congress of Entomology. Of the seven papers therein presented, four are, in extended and elaborated versions, published in the present volume. Three more papers on Chrysomelidae have been submitted independently and are included here as well. The present volume 4 of the series Research on Chrysomelidae is the second published as a special issue of ZooKeys. Publishing with Pensoft?s ZooKeys is not only fast and affordable, but also allows the inclusion of colour illustrations ad libitum, in both the printed and digital versions, so that the authors can easily share their excitement on their scientific objects with their readers. We, the editors, are glad to present this volume and hope that it will be valued not only for its scientific value but also attract the attention of non-chrysomelidologists to the fascinating world of leaf beetles. Hopefully, many such volumes will follow, so that our series will develop into an attractive forum for sharing news about a scientifically interesting, economically important, and emotionally rewarding group of insects.

This book summarizes what is actually known about the biology of Leaf Beetles. It is the most recent study in the field. As we are well aware, Chrysomelidae, one of the three largest families of beetles, are of great economic importance since they can be a serious pest to crops or, on the other hand, can be used to destroy imported weeds. This is due to the selectivity of their feeding preferences. In this way, Chrysomelidae are an invaluable tool for studying plant selection mechanisms. The many and varied topics dealt with in this book cover almost all aspects of phylogeny, classification, paleontology, parasitology, biogeography, defenses, population biology, genetics and biological control as well as many other subjects. The most renowned specialists in these fields have been chosen to put together a diverse, state-of-the-art publication. Few beetle families have been studied in such detail as the Chrysomelids. This is not only due to their economic importance, but also to their incredible variety of forms and behaviors. There are no less than 40,000 species currently in existence worldwide, but probably 100,000 species have existed since the Jurassic, when they first came into being with the Cycadoids and other primitive plant families, later to diversify during the Cretaceous with the advent of flowering plants.

This book is primarily the result of the Leaf Beetle research presented at the Fifth International Symposium on the Chrysomelidae, held on 25-27 July 2000 in conjunction with the XXI International Congress of Entomology, in Iguassu Falls, Brazil. It is a collection of papers by leading experts on Leaf Beetles from over 15 countries discussing their research on all 5 major continents concerning systematics, diversity, phylogeny, biology, ecology, genetics, etc.