The Natural History of Doryphora sp. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) and the Function of its Sternal Horn

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Abstract
The beetle Doryphora sp. near punctatissima uses its sternal horn as a weapon in intraspecific aggressive encounters on the food plant Prestonia isthmica Woodson where eggs are laid and larvae and adults feed. Eggs are laid in groups and hatch in about a week. Larvae complete development in groups, and sometimes consume all leaves on a host plant. Larvae burrow into the soil to pupate; adults emerge in about 24 days. Adults display little apparent courtship behavior; mating can last longer than 1 hour and females apparently mate more than once. Aggressive behavior of adults is most likely related to defense of the food plant.

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