Calligrapha philadelphica, as a chrysomelid, can most likely recognize host plants via visual acuity and chemical cues. It can perceive both the environment and other members of the species (as well as similar species) visually and chemically.
Communication Channels: visual ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; chemical
Calligrapha philadelphica has no special conservation status.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
Adults hibernate during the winter in the ground or sheltered within the bark of trees. Upon the arrival of spring, mating and oviposition occur during which single or multiple eggs can be laid. Approximately a week after oviposition occurs in May or June, larva emerge, feed quickly, and pupate shortly thereafter in the soil. Adults emerge around early July and feed until late September. They then overwinter until the following spring.
Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis ; diapause
There are no known adverse affects of Calligrapha philadelphica on humans.
There are no known positive effects of Calligrapha philadelphica on humans.
Chrysomelidae, including C. philadelphica are important phytophagous beetles which are host-specific in terrestrial habitats and modify their ecosystems in a host-specific way. C. philadelphica specifically effects the population of dogwood plants, Cornus stolonifera and Cornus obliqua, as the beetles devour the plant leaves.
Species Used as Host:
Calligrapha philadelphica feeds on the leaves of dogwood plants, Cornus stolonifera and Cornus obliqua.
Plant Foods: leaves
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Calligrapha philadelphica can be found in the eastern half of North America, in the Nearctic region. In Canada, specimens have occasionally been spotted as far west as British Columbia.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Calligrapha philadelphica is found on dogwood plants in temperate forests. In areas where there is an abundance of dogwood, C. philadelphica can be found forming small colonies. This chrysomelid beetle has also been found on willow plants in areas where dogwood and willow are present together.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Other Habitat Features: suburban
It takes approximately 2 to 3 months for C. philadelphica to develop from an egg to an adult. After emerging from pupation, adults continue to feed for another 2 to 3 months until overwintering and emerging again the following spring.
All Calligrapha share common features such as an oval, rounded form, an unjointed terminal tarsal joint without teeth underneath, and divergent claws. Calligrapha philadelphica has white elytra with dark markings arranged in a pattern of longer lines, smaller curving lines, and dots which are described in its Latin name meaning "beautiful + writing." C. philadelphica is usually 8 to 9 mm in length. It has elytra with a thin subsutural line. The body of this beetle is robust, convex, and shiny. The aedeagus of the male C. philadelphica has lateral apical spiculi and does not have an apical truncate projection. Egg coloration of C. philadelphica varies from creamy white to coral.
Range length: 8 to 9 mm.
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
No information is available on this topic.
As a chrysomelid, Calligrapha philadelphica can likely find host plants to feed on due to chemical senses and cues. This suggests that C. philadelphica uses these same chemicals or scents to find mates. Both males and females have been observed to mate with other species, C. rowena and C. vicina.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Calligrapha philadelphica utilizes diploid bisexual reproduction. Eggs are laid either singly or in masses of up to 32 eggs. Over the course of a season, a female can lay between 100 and 450 eggs. Most eggs are generally deposited before June. Calligrapha is highly variable in terms of intra and inter-specific sex ratio. In some similar species, female-producing parthenogenesis may occur, indicated by the high ratio of females to males. In past collections of C. philadelphica, females have made up 50% to 100% of the collection, suggesting this species may also be parthenogenic.
Calligrapha philadelphica is a bisexual diploid. Little study has focused on identifying whether certain species of Calligrapha are sister species. C. philadelphica will mate with other species, C. rowena and C. vicina (which utilizes tetraploid parthenogenesis). A population of C. philadelphica has been known to mate with another population differing only in supernumerary chromosomes. Robertson (1966) finds that there is variation in whether or not the spermatogonial complement of C. philadelphica contained supernumerary chromosomes. Variation of the supernumerary chromosomes within the study ranged from 0 to 10 in Ottawa, Canada, whereas in Quebec the study found that spermatogonial complements contained 22 autosomes, one X chromosome, and an average of seven supernumerary chromosomes. This polymorphism may be an adaptation that helps populations survive and is an indicator of potential speciation.
Breeding interval: There is a single generation of Calligrapha philadelphica each year.
Breeding season: Oviposition occurs in the middle of May and continues through June.
Range eggs per season: 100 to 450.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); parthenogenic ; sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); oviparous
Other than provisioning of eggs, there is no parental involvement in this species.
Parental Investment: pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female)
Calligrapha philadelphica, known generally as the dogwood calligrapha or dogwood leaf beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.[1][2][3]
Calligrapha philadelphica, known generally as the dogwood calligrapha or dogwood leaf beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America.
Dogwood calligrapha, Calligrapha philadelphica
