The little leaf notcher is a Curculionidae beetle, which got its name for its tendency to leave behind little notches on the leaves they feed on.
Size: 6.25 to 14 mm
Color: They are evenly whitish or bluish-white and may reflect a pale purple color.
Other Characteristic Features: These beetles have longer and narrower elytra and lack hairs behind their eyes like other similar beetles.
They are white with dark heads. The larvae go through six instars, the final one being 9.5 mm long.
The fully mature larvae build chambers in their excrement to pupate for 14-20 days.
Their color ranges from white to yellow, is round, and hatch after 20 days.
| Lifespan | 165 days |
| Distribution | The Bahamas, central and southern Florida, and the United States Virgin Islands |
| Habitat | Hammock, pineland, and mangrove |
| Seasons active | April to May, June to July, and October to November |
| Host plants | Citrus species, including lime, grapefruit, and orange |
| Diet of adults | Leaves of host plant |
Feeding by these beetles leaves behind little notches on the leaves.
Image Source: live.staticflickr.com, bugguide.net, entnemdept.ufl.edu, a4.pbase.com, i.pinimg.com
The little leaf notcher is a Curculionidae beetle, which got its name for its tendency to leave behind little notches on the leaves they feed on.
Size: 6.25 to 14 mm
Color: They are evenly whitish or bluish-white and may reflect a pale purple color.
Other Characteristic Features: These beetles have longer and narrower elytra and lack hairs behind their eyes like other similar beetles.
They are white with dark heads. The larvae go through six instars, the final one being 9.5 mm long.
The fully mature larvae build chambers in their excrement to pupate for 14-20 days.
Their color ranges from white to yellow, is round, and hatch after 20 days.
| Lifespan | 165 days |
| Distribution | The Bahamas, central and southern Florida, and the United States Virgin Islands |
| Habitat | Hammock, pineland, and mangrove |
| Seasons active | April to May, June to July, and October to November |
| Host plants | Citrus species, including lime, grapefruit, and orange |
| Diet of adults | Leaves of host plant |
Feeding by these beetles leaves behind little notches on the leaves.
Image Source: live.staticflickr.com, bugguide.net, entnemdept.ufl.edu, a4.pbase.com, i.pinimg.com
