EGG, LARVA, AND PUPA OF LEXIPHANES SAPONATUS (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: CRYPTOCEPHALINAE)
AbstractThe immature stages of Lexiphanes saponatus (Fabricius) are the first members of Nearctic Cryptocephalinae to be described as well as to be studied. The egg is coated with oblique ornamentations as in other Cryptocephalinae. The larva shows several resemblances with that of the Palearctic genus Suffrianus from which it is distinguished mainly by its large papillate frontal setae. The pupa resembles in general those of Chlamisinae but bears very distinctive projections on the seventh and ninth abdominal segments. The life cycle of L. saponatus is also very interesting. Unlike most other cryptocephaline larvae which live in the leaf litter and are unable to climb on plants, the larva of L. saponatus moves easily on its host plant (Cassandra calyculata) and mimics perfectly the plant buds, becoming almost invisible to the human eye. Although me information is incomplete, it is evident that L. saponatus overwinters in the larval stage, in the first or second instar. It is not known if the larva completes its development during the following warm season or overwinters twice as in other Cryptocephalinae.