A comparative study of the immature stages of closely related species Cassida pfefferi Sekerka, 2006, Cassida nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 and Cassida vittata Villers, 1789 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Cassidini).

Abstract

Immature stages of Cassida pfefferi Sekerka, 2006 from Cyprus are described and illustrated for the first time and compared with immatures of closely related species Cassida nobilis Linnaeus, 1758 and Cassida vittata Villers, 1789. Detailed descriptions of mature larvae and pupae of C. nobilis and C. vittata are also given. Analysis of the morphological body structure of the preimaginal stages of the studied species reveals subtle characters distinguishing C. pfefferi from other species of C. nobilis groups and confirms its species status.