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Title: Phenrica littoralis a potential candidate for the biological control of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides: redscription of the adult, first description of immature stages and biological notes

Author
item CABRERA, NORA - National University Of La Plata And Museum
item SOSA, ALEJANDRO - Fuedei
item JULIEN, MIC - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2013
Publication Date: 7/16/2013
Citation: Cabrera, N., Sosa, A., Julien, M. 2013. Phenrica littoralis a potential candidate for the biological control of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides: redscription of the adult, first description of immature stages and biological notes. Zootaxa. (5):543-555.

Interpretive Summary: Several flea beetles were collected on alligator weed -an amphibian invasive plant- in Southern South America. From the species found, one of the most abundant is a dotted winged flea beetle, Phenrica litoralis. We redescribe the species using traditional and new anatomical features. In addition we describe for the first time its immature stages, larva and pupa. This kind of description provides new data for future studies of this kind of flea beetles.

Technical Abstract: Flea beetles of aliligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Amaranthaceae), were collected in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. Species in the genera Disonycha Chevrolat, Agasicles Jacoby Systena Chevrolat and Phenrica Bechyne were frequently found on this weed. Phenrica littoralis (Bechyne) was the most abundant within this genus. The male is described and the holotype female is redescribed adding new diagnostic characters of the mouthparts, hind wings, metendosternite, and male and female genitalia. Larva and pupa are described and illustrated for the first time providing data for future phylogenetic studies in the subtribe Disonychina.