Internal feeder (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Barbarea

Larvae excavate shallow, externally visible tunnels in leaf petioles and stems, leaving the epidermis intact. The damage is most common in lower stem leaves and basal leaves, on the underside of the petiole near its base.

The mature larva possesses a pair of short, curved, sclerotized hooks or spines on its posterior end. Larvae kept indoors exited the plant material when done feeding and pupated in the potting mix provided in the bottom of the rearing container.

In 2021, I reared adults in early June from larvae collected in mid-May. Based on photos of one of these adults, BugGuide users B. Büche (2024) and V. Belov (2021) contributed to the identification.

I also observed larvae in lower leaf petioles in 2024.