About Calligrapha pantherina Stål, 1859
Calligrapha pantherina, commonly known as the sida leafbeetle, is a species of beetle in the family Chrysomelidae that is endemic to Mexico. Both larvae and adult Calligrapha pantherina feed on the foliage of common wireweed (Sida acuta) and arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia). This beetle has been introduced to Northern Australia as a biological control agent, to manage its host plants which are invasive weeds in the region. In its native Mexico, this beetle is only found in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Chiapas. After extensive assessment, it was first released outside its native range in Australia's Northern Territory in 1989. Following its successful establishment in Australia, it was released in Papua New Guinea in 1999, and later introduced to Fiji and Vanuatu. In 2016, the beetle was discovered to have reached New Caledonia. This discovery caused concern, because while invasive Sida acuta grows on the island, two endemic Sida species also live there. Sida acuta is a small shrub native to Mexico that has spread to many other tropical countries. In its native range, Calligrapha pantherina has a restricted host range, and feeds only on Sida acuta, the closely related Sida rhombifolia, and Sida spinosa. Eggs of this beetle are laid on the underside of older leaves. Larvae feed on foliage, and remain aggregated together during the first three instar stages, then feed separately during the fourth and final instar. Larger larvae may also consume flowers and fruits of host plants. When they have finished feeding, larvae descend to the ground to pupate among leaf litter or while buried in fine soil. The total development time from egg to adult is approximately 24 days.
