A new species of leaf-mining Oulema from Panama (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae; Criocerinae)

Abstract

A new species of leaf-miner, Oulema pumila (Chrysomelidae:Criocerinae), from central Panama is described and illustrated. Host plant and life history data are given. One of the smallest species, it is only the second record of the leaf-mining habit and the first host record from the Piperaceae recorded for the subfamily. Leaf-mining appears to be derived in this instance and we offer some observations on its evolution.