Some observations on the biology of Notosacantha vicaria [Spaeth] [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae]

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Notosacantha vicaria completes life cycle on Carallia brachiata, a plant belonging to Rhizophoraceae. The larva is a leaf miner and even pupation takes place within the leaf mine. The larva is very similar to hispine larvae in general appearance. The lateral processes on abdominal segments are much shorter than in other cassidines and the supra-anal processes or furci are absent. The pupa also differs from that of other cassidines in some respects, e.g. there are no prothoracic spinules and supra-anal furci in the pupa of Notosacantha. The pupal mine has a distinctive shape. The beetles feed only by scraping on the upper surface of the leaf, without making holes, and the feeding marks are characteristic.