Pumpkin Beetle
Scientific name: Aulacophora hilaris
Click to enlarge image
Pumpkin Beetle specimen, Aulacophora hilaris
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Aulacophora
- Species
- hilaris
- Subfamily
- Galerucinae
- Family
- Chrysomelidae
- Super Family
- Chrysomeloidea
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 6 mm - 7 mm
Pumpkin Beetle specimen, Aulacophora hilaris
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Introduction
The Pumpkin Beetle is a leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae), which is one of the largest beetle families with approximately 3,000 Australian species. At least 250 of these occur in the Sydney area.
Distribution
The Pumpkin Beetle is found in eastern Australia.
Feeding and diet
Both the larvae and adults of leaf beetles eat plant material. Some are serious commercial pests. The larvae feed on the roots.
Economic impacts
The Pumpkin Beetle is of concern to gardeners as it feeds on the leaves and flowers of cucumbers, melons and of course pumpkins.
