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Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/6/2005 Publication Date: 9/30/2005 Citation: Konstantinov, A.S. 2005. New species of Middle Asian Longitarsus Latreille with discussion on their subgeneric placement (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Zootaxa. 1056:19-42. Interpretive Summary: Leaf beetles and in particular flea beetles are among the most important insects for U.S. agriculture. Many are serious pests and feed on crops and destroy valuable plants. Others are important biological control agents that can be used to kill unwanted weeds. This work describes four leaf beetle species from Middle Asia, providing key characters, descriptions, and illustrations to allow for their identification and thus make them available for potential use in biological control projects. This study will be useful to biological control workers, taxonomists, ecologists, and anyone interested in phytophagous beetles. Technical Abstract: The subgenus Testergus Weise is redefined based on the characters of male genitalia. Four new species of Testergus are described and illustrated: L. borisi sp. nov. (Tadzhikistan), L. danilevskyi sp. nov. (Kazakhstan), L. igori sp. nov. (Tadzhikistan), and L. nadiae sp. nov. (Kirgizstan). The lectotype of L. fuscoeaneus Redtenbacher is designated. A key to known Testergus species from Greece, Caucasus and Middle Asia is provided. |
