epilachna

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of cryptotetramerous coleopterans, of the family Coccinellidæ, or ladybirds, forming with a few others the group of phytophagous or vegetable-feeding Coccinellidæ, the rest of the family being insectivorous. The distinguishing character of the group is the form of the mandibles, which are armed with several teeth at the tip. The species of Epilachna are very numerous, especially in the tropical zone; they are comparatively large, very convex, and hairy above, whence the name. E. borealis (Kirby) is very abundant in southern parts of the United States, and is often injurious to cultivated plants, especially squashes. It is of a honey-yellow color, with black spots. E. globosa and E. undecimmaculata are European species.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. genus of ladybugs native to Mexico and Central America; both larvae and adults feed on plants