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Submitted to: Journal of New York Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/11/2002 Publication Date: 12/20/2002 Citation: Konstantinov, A.S. 2002. A new genus of flea beetles from the Greater Antilles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Journal of New York Entomological Society. 124:1-24. Interpretive Summary: Flea beetles are one of the largest and most structurally diverse groups of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), containing thousands of specie. Some of these beetles are important pests of cultivated plants, whereas others are highly beneficial as biological control agents of exotic weeds. This paper describes and illustrates a previously unknown genus and two species of flea beetles and provides a key for species identification. This study will be important to taxonomists, morphologists, evolutionary biologists, ecologists, APHIS identifiers, and any other persons involved in identification of beetles. Technical Abstract: A new genus Normaltica and two new species (N. obrieni from Puerto Rico and N. iviei from Dominican Republic) are described and illustrated. A key and illustrations of these taxa are provided. Morphological consequences of wing reduction are discussed. Variability of the female genitalia of N. obrieni is illustrated. |
