The Eumolpinae are a subfamily of the leaf beetles, or Chrysomelidae. It is one of the largest subfamilies of leaf beetles, including more than 500 genera and 7000 species. They are oval, and convex in form, and measure up to 10 mm in size. Typical coloration for this subfamily of beetles ranges from bright yellow to dark red. Many species are iridescent or brilliantly metallic blue or green in appearance.
Description
Eumolpinae can be recognized at first sight by their rounded thoraces, more or less spherical or bell-shaped, but always significantly narrower than the mesothorax as covered by the elytra. Additional features include a small head set deeply into the thorax, and usually well-developed legs. They generally resemble other Chrysomelidae, but differ in having front coxae rounded and third tarsal segment bilobed beneath. Many are metallic, or yellow and spotted. The dogbane beetle, for instance, is very attractive—iridescent blue-green with a coppery tinge, it measures 8–10 mm, and is found on dogbane and milkweed. Some, such as members of the genus Macrocoma, are unusually setaceous and with unusually prominent mandibles for members of the family Chrysomelidae.
The number of tribes in the subfamily varies depending on the author. According to a classification from 2011, for instance, there are 12 tribes:
BromiiniBaly, 1865 – also known as "Adoxini" in some classifications; some authors split this into additional tribes such as "Myochroini" and "Scelodontini".
Cubispini Monrós, 1954 – contains only Cubispa and Lobispa.
EumolpiniHope, 1840 – also known as "Colaspoidini" in some classifications; some authors split this into additional tribes such as "Iphimeini" and "Endocephalini".
EuryopiniChapuis, 1874 – also known as "Colasposomini" in some classifications.
Habrophorini Bechyné & Špringlová de Bechyné, 1969 – contains only Habrophora and Psathyrocerus.
Hemydacnini Bechyné, 1951 – contains only Hemydacne and Colasita.
Megascelidini Chapuis, 1874 – contains only Megascelis and Mariamela; formerly considered a separate subfamily.
Pygomolpini Bechyné, 1949 – contains only Pygomolpus.
Rosiroiini Bechyné, 1950 – contains only Rosiroia.
Typophorini Baly, 1865 – also known as "Nodinini" in some classifications; some authors split this into additional tribes such as "Metachromini".
The tribe Eupalini was proposed in 2005 for the genus Eupales. However, the name "Eupalini" was not explicitly indicated as new, so it is currently considered an unavailable name according to the ICZN. The subfamily Spilopyrinae was formerly considered a tribe of Eumolpinae, while recently the subfamily Synetinae has sometimes been grouped within Eumolpinae.
