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Leaf beetle
Chrysomelidae
Sierra Valley, Northern California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2004

Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) are one of the most diverse beetle groups in the world.  Many species are specialist herbivores on particular species of flowering plants, and it is thought that the tremendous diversity of this group is due to a close evolutionary relationship with the flowering plants.  Here a leaf beetle feeds on a willow.

 
USA, CA, Plumas Co.: Beckwourth
2.vii.2004, 39º49'N 120º23'W, 1490m
Along Feather river, ex Salix sp.

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, with a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.