Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290710
Title: Taxonomic changes in the genus Diabrotica Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae): results of a synopsis of North and Central America Diabrotica species

Author
item DERUNKOV, A. - University Of Maryland
item Konstantinov, Alexander - Alex

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2013
Publication Date: 7/12/2013
Citation: Derunkov, A., Konstantinov, A.S. 2013. Taxonomic changes in the genus Diabrotica Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae): results of a synopsis of North and Central America Diabrotica species. Zootaxa. 3686(3):301-325.

Interpretive Summary: Leaf beetles are among the most important insects affecting U.S. agriculture. Many are serious pests and feed on crops destroying valuable plants costing millions of dollars annually. Others are important biological control agents that can be used to destroy unwanted and invasive weeds. This work clarifies classification, provides descriptions and illustrations for 10 leaf beetle species from Central America, to allow for their identification and proper classification, 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 plant-feeding beetles.

Technical Abstract: The following new synonyms in Diabrotica Chevrolat are proposed: D. flaviventris Jacoby 1887 = D. tibialis Jacoby 1887 = D. adelpha Harold 1875; D. peckii Bowditch 1911 = D. bioculata Bowditch 1911; D. circulata Harold 1875 = D. nummularis Harold 1877; D. linensis Bechyné 1956 = D. trifurcata Jacoby 1887; D. brunneosignata Jacoby 1887 = D. sinuata Olivier 1789; D. duplicata Jacoby 1887 = D.viridifasciata Jacoby 1887. Diabrotica cyaneomaculata Jacoby 1887 does not share synapomorphies of Diabrotica and is treated as incertae sedis. Diabrotica tripunctata (Fabricius) removed from synonymy of D. sinuata Olivier and is considered to be a valid species. Original combination is restored for Diabrotica fasciata Kirsch, the species is transferred from Paranapiacaba back to Diabrotica.