Pumpkin Beetle Click to enlarge image
Pumpkin Beetle specimen, Aulacophora hilaris Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Aulacophora
    Species
    hilaris
    Subfamily
    Galerucinae
    Family
    Chrysomelidae
    Super Family
    Chrysomeloidea
    Suborder
    Polyphaga
    Order
    Coleoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    6 mm - 7 mm
Pumpkin Beetle
Pumpkin Beetle specimen, Aulacophora hilaris Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum

Introduction

The Pumpkin Beetle is a leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae), which is one of the largest beetle families with approximately 3,000 Australian species. At least 250 of these occur in the Sydney area.

Distribution

The Pumpkin Beetle is found in eastern Australia.



Feeding and diet

Both the larvae and adults of leaf beetles eat plant material. Some are serious commercial pests. The larvae feed on the roots.

Economic impacts

The Pumpkin Beetle is of concern to gardeners as it feeds on the leaves and flowers of cucumbers, melons and of course pumpkins.