title: Biology and phenology of three leaf beetle species (Chrysomelidae) in a montane forest in southeast Brazil.
abstract: The population phenology of the cassidines, Coptocycla arcuata and Omaspides trichroa, and the chrysomeline, Platyphora axillaris, was studied at Serra dos Órgãos National Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, southeast Brazil. Monthly surveys of larvae and adults were conducted between 2008 and 2011 at approximately 1000 m altitude on their respective host plants, Cordia polycephala (Boraginaceae), Ipomoea philomega (Convolvulaceae) and Solanum scuticum (Solanaceae). This is the first observation of larviparity and host record for Platyphora axillaris. Although having different life history traits, all species showed similar phenologies. They were abundant from October to March, months of high temperatures and intense rainfall, with two distinct reproductive peaks in the same season. Abundance dropped abruptly during the coldest and driest months, from May to August. Frequently none of these species were recorded during June and July. This phenological pattern is similar to other Chrysomelidae living in subtropical areas of Brazil. Temperature and rainfall appear to be the major factors influencing the fluctuation of these three species.
authors.affiliation: Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. CCS, IB, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Sala A0-111, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, CP 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Flinte
authors.affiliation: Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. CCS, IB, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Sala A0-111, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, CP 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ethel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hentz
authors.affiliation: Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. CCS, IB, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Sala A0-111, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, CP 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Barbara Mascarenhas
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Morgado
authors.affiliation: Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. CCS, IB, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Sala A0-111, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, CP 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Anne Caruliny do Monte
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. CCS, IB, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Sala A0-111, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, CP 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Khattar
authors.affiliation: Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. CCS, IB, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Sala A0-111, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, CP 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Ferreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. CCS, IB, Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos, Sala A0-111, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, CP 68020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Margarete Valverde
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: de Macedo
keywords: Population fluctuation; altitude; climate; host plant; viviparity