20-8-2024 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CASE BEARING LEAF BEETLE (Subfamily Cryptocephalinae)

The Cryptocephalinae are a subfamily of the leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), and belong to the group of case-bearing leaf beetles called the Camptosomata. The cases are made from the feces of larvae, passed from one instar to the next, and ultimately serves as a pupation chamber.

The tribes Fulcidacini and Clytrini were formerly considered subfamilies of their own, and are presently treated only as tribes. Species in at least 14 genera of Clytrini and Cryptocephalini are myrmecophilous, living with ants. Most species exhibit polyphagy but there are patterns of constraints with certain plant lineages.