Bug FAQSkeletonizing leaf beetle
Neolochmaea dilatipennis · Order: Coleoptera · Family: Chrysomelidae
Adults are tiny, measuring about 5.5 to 7.6 mm in length. It originates from the Neotropical region and has been introduced to southern Florida. It has been observed feeding on the plant Spermacoce terminalis.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure roughly 5.5 to 7.6 mm long.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
It feeds on the plant Spermacoce terminalis.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is native to the Neotropical region. It has been introduced to southern Florida.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 1 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Florida.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Where is Neolochmaea dilatipennis found?
It is native to the Neotropical region and has been introduced to southern Florida.
Source: Wikipedia
How big does Neolochmaea dilatipennis get?
Adults reach about 5.5 to 7.6 mm in length.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Chrysomelidae)
Spotted Cucumber BeetleDiabrotica undecimpunctataDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bean WeevilAcanthoscelides obtectusDamages trees, gardens or crops
Cowpea WeevilCallosobruchus maculatusDamages trees, gardens or crops
Swamp Milkweed Leaf BeetleLabidomera clivicollisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Alder Leaf BeetleAgelastica alniDamages trees, gardens or crops
Dogbane Leaf BeetleChrysochus auratusSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolochmaea_obliterata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-25 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-25.