Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles)

The leaf beetles (Chryso­melidae) are amongst the biggest beetle families with more than 35,000 species in more than 2500 genera worldwide. They are found throughout the world except the Antarctic and most of the high Arctic. In Germany 520 species are known to occur. The small to medium-sized beetles are mostly phytophagous, numerous species are of agricultural relevance as pests. They are among the most diverse and conspicuous insect families on plants. The adults feed on living plant material, usually consuming leaves or sometimes various flower parts including pollen. Many chrysomelid larvae feed on leaves, but a great number are subterranean, attacking roots and underground stems.