Annals of the Entomological Society of America (2005) 98, 643-652

N. Cabrera, A.J. Sosa, A.J. Dorado and M. Julien (2005)
Systena nitentula (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a flea beetle injurious to Alternanthera philoxeroides (Amaranthaceae): Redescription, biology, and distribution
Annals of the Entomological Society of America 98 (5), 643-652
Abstract: Flea beetles of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Amaranthaceae), were collected in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. Species in the genera Disonycha Chevrolat, Agasicles Jacoby, and Systena Chevrolat were frequently found on this weed. Systena nitentula Bechyné 1954 was the most abundant within Systena. This species is reported for the first time from Argentina at north of 30° S. The male is described and holotype female is redescribed adding new diagnostic characters: mouthparts, hind wings, metendosternite, and male and female genitalia. S. nitentula is recognized by the combined characters of piceous elytra with J-shaped vittae, a small spermatheca pump, and internal median lobe sac with five sclerotized plates. Differences in color patterns between S. nitentula, S. tenuis Bechyné, and S. s-littera L. also are considered. S. nintentula presents three instars that can be separated through head width. New biological data based on laboratory rearing and field observations shows that S. nintentula could be a monophagous species strongly associated to the alligator weed growing in terrestrial conditions. This information promotes S. nintentula as a potential biocontrol agent of this invasive weed.
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Database assignments for author(s): Alejandro Sosa, Mic Julien

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
identification/taxonomy

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Alternanthera philoxeroides (weed)		Argentina
	Alternanthera philoxeroides (weed)		Paraguay
	Alternanthera philoxeroides (weed)		Uruguay
Systena nitentula (weed bioagent)	Alternanthera philoxeroides (weed)