| Bulletin 441
December 1972
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
R. Dennis Rouse,
Director
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama |
Subfamily
Alticinae
Minute
to medium, oval or elongate, relatively compressed to convex beetles.
Antennae generally at least 1/2 body length and rather closely inserted,
usually 3rd antennal segment equal to or longer than 4th. Eyes entire.
Prosternal process separating procoxae. Metafemora enlarged and adapted
for jumping; metatibiae with apical spur.
No satisfactory tribal arrangement has thus
far been proposed for the North American species. The Alticinae comprise
the largest subfamily in the Chrysomelidae. Alticid species, particularly
the smaller ones, are known as flea beetles because of their jumping ability.
Many are of economic importance.
Key to the Alabama Genera of
Alticinae
Genus Blepharida Chevrolat
Genus Pachyonychus Melsheimer
Genus Distigmoptera Blake
Genus Pseudolampsis Horn
Genus Pachyonychis Clark
Genus Kuschelina Bechyné
Genus Capraita Bechyné
Genus Disonycha Chevrolat
Genus Altica Fabricius
Genus Syphraea Baly
Genus Strabala Chevrolat
Genus Monomacra Chevrolat
Genus Hornaltica Barber
Genus Crepidodera Chevrolat
Genus Epithrix Foudras
Genus Orthaltica Crotch
Genus Luperaltica Crotch
Genus Mantura Stephens
Genus Chaetocnema Stephens
Genus Systena Chevrolat
Genus Longitarsus Latreille
Genus Phyllotreta Stephens
Genus Palaeothona Jacoby
Genus Glyptina LeConte
Genus Aphthona Chevrolat
Genus Dibolia Latreille
Genus Psylliodes Latreille |
| BLEPHARIDA
CHEVROLAT |
Blepharida Chevrolat, 1837,
in Dejean, Cat. Coleopt. 1. 5., 2nd ed., p. 394.
Broadly oval, convex. Head rather deeply
inserted into prothorax. Antennal insertions widely separated, 11th
segment with small movable 12th segment. Procoxal cavities closed behind.
Last tarsal segment of hind tarsi not globosely inflated. Tarsal claws
bifid.
Only the following species occurs in North
America.
Blepharida rhois
(Forester) Fig. 27
Chrysomela rhois Forester,
1771, Nov. Spec. Ins., p. 21.
Chrysomela stalida Fabricius, 1775, Syst. Entomol., p. 98.
Chrysomela meticulosa Olivier, 1807, Entomol. Colept. 5, p.
531.
Blepharida atripennis Horn, 1895, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci.,
6: 249.
Blepharida dorothea Mignot, 1971, Coleopt. Bull. 25: 13. New
synonymy.
Oval, quite convex. Head and prothorax
yellow. Elytra regularly striate-punctate, red-brown mottled with yellow.
Length 6.3-7.7 mm. Width 3.9-4.9 mm.
Alabama records: 13 specimans from Lee1,
Madison1, and Mobile1,2 County.
Seasonal distribution: April 11-July 1.
Remarks: These beetles occur on Rhus
spp. We disagree with Mignot's (78) conclusion that the mottled
forms of North American Blepharida are a species distinct from
the more vittate individuals. Instead we consider the variation observed
in several characters to be intraspecific, although somewhat geographically
delineated. Our study of South Dakota Blepharida specimens
substantiates this conclusion.
|
| PACHYONYCHUS
MELSHEIMER |
Pachyonychus Melsheimer, 1847, Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 158-181. Type-species: Pachyonychus
paradoxus Melsheimer.
Elongate. Head broad, oval, not deeply
inserted into prothorax. Maxillary palpi stout, robust. Prothorax with
basal transverse impression. Procoxal cavities closed behind. Posterior
tibiae longitudinally bicarinate, with single apical spur. Last segment
of posterior tarsi globosely inflated. Only
one species occurs in North America.
Pachyonychus paradoxus
Melsheimer
Pachyonychus paradoxus Melsheimer, 1847, Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 163.
Elongate. Head, prothorax, and venter yellow
or red-yellow. Elytra striate-punctate, black or brown with suture broadly
yellow or red-yellow. Length 3.5-4.4 mm. Width 1.8-2.1 mm.
Alabama records: 6 specimens from Lee1,
Macon1, Marion1, and Winston2 counties.
Seasonal distribution: April 13-June 17.
Remarks: This species has been collected
by beating Smilax sp. |
| DISTIGMOPTERA
BLAKE |
Genus
Distigmoptera Blake
Distigmoptera Blake, 1943,
Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 45: 209. Type-species: Distigmoptera apicalis
Blake.
Conspicuously pubescent. Head and thorax
coarsely punctate. Elytra coarsely striate-punctate with distinct depressions.
Procoxal cavities closed. Apical segments of posterior tarsi globosely
swollen.
Balsbaugh (4) described a new species of Distigmoptera
from South Carolina, which conceivably could occur also in Alabama.
Key to the Alabama Genera
of Cryptocephalini
1. Larger beetles (3.0-4.0 mm. long);
both sexes fully winged..... D. pilosa
Smaller beetles (2.5 mm. long); males wingless or brachypterous.....
D. impennata
Distigmoptera pilosa
(Illiger) Fig. 28
Haltica pilosa Illiger, 1807, Mag. Insektenk.
6: 105.
Elongate, pubescent. Head with clypeus
elongate, narrowed between antennal insertions, black, coarsely punctate;
antennal segments 1-6 fulvous, 7-11 dark brown. Elytra dark brown,
coarsely punctate, punctures tending to be in striae but confused
somewhat just before the large midelytral foveae; pubescense consisting
of both fine recumbent and erect setae. Length 3.9-4.0 mm. Width 1.8-1.9
mm.
Alabama records: 3 specimens from Etowah2
and Mobile2,3 counties.
Seasonal distribution: April 20-June
3.
Distigmoptera impennata
Blake*
Distigmoptera impennata Blake, 1943,
Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 45: 216.
Oval, pubescent. Head dark brown, shining,
impunctate on medial portion of frons but coarsely punctate nearer
eyes, each puncture bearing an erect seta; with deep depression between
frontal tubercles. Pronotum uneven, coarsely punctate, pubescent with
long setae, shining between punctures. Elytra brown, the humeri yellow-brown;
striate-punctate with large punctures; discal depression slightly
beyond basal 1/3 behind the prominent mid-basal callosities; pubescence
erect. Males wingless or brachypterous. Length 2.5 mm. Width 1.4 mm.
Alabama records: 1 specimen from Mobile2
County.
Seasonal distribution: July 2.
|
| PSEUDOLAMPSIS
HORN |
Genus Pseudolampsis Horn
Pseudolampsis Horn, 1889,
Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 16: 174. Type-species: Hypolampsis quattata
LeConte.
Clypeus elongate, truncate. Thorax much
narrower than elytra. Pubescent, punctate-striate. Procoxal cavities
open behind. Posterior tibiae not sulcate, with small spur. Last segment
of hind tarsi globosely inflated, tarsal claws bifid.
Pseudolampsis guttata
(LeConte) Fig. 29
Hypolampsis guttatus LeConte,
1884, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 12: 29.
Distigmoptera darwini Scherer, 1964, Entomol. Arb. Mus. Frey
15(1): 297.
Robust. Head red-brown, clypeus elongate,
narrowed at base of antennae. Prothorax subquadrate, shining dark brown,
punctate, pubescent, angles with long setae. Elytra nearly twice as
wide as pronotum at base, striate-punctate, umbones and basal callosities
dark brown with disc medially lighter brown, moderately pubescent with
yellow-green vestiture. Length 2.5 mm. Width 1.3 mm.
Alabama records: 2 specimens from Mobile2,3
County.
Seasonal distribution: June-July.
Remarks: Balsbaugh (4,5) gives
additional distribution records of this species, extending its range
east to South Carolina and south to Brazil and Uruguay.
|
| PACHYONYCHIS
CLARK |
Genus Pachyonychis Clark
Pachyonychis Clark, 1860,
Cat. Halticidae in Brit. Mus. pt. I.: 61, 290. Type-species: Pachyonychis
paradoxus Clark.
Hamletia Crotch, 1873, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 25:
56, 59. Type-species: Hamletia dimidiaticornis
Crotch.
Head not deeply inserted into prothorax.
Prothorax slightly wider at base than long. Procoxal cavities open behind.
Posterior tibiae sulcate externally, and with small tooth before apical
corbel, apex with curved spur. Pro and mesotarsal claws appendiculate,
posterior tarsi with last segment globose, claws simple.
The genus is monotypic. Mignot (77)
discussed nomenclatural confusion concerning the generic name.
Pachyonychis paradoxus
Clark
Pachyonychis paradoxus Clark,
1860, Cat. of the Halticidae in the coll. of the British Mus. I., p.
63.
Hamletia dimidiaticornis Crotch, 1873, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philadelphia 25: 58.
Elongate, oval. Head and prothorax shining
black, with faint mahogany brown indications, especially brown spot
on frons immediately above frontal tubercles. Pronotum finely alutaceous,
faintly punctate. Antennae with basal 3 segments fulvous, segments 4-9
dark brown to black, segments 10-11 white-yellow. Elytra green-brown;
closely , irregularly punctate. Legs and last 2 abdominal segments yellow.
Length 5.3 mm. Width 2.5 mm.
Alabama records: 1 specimen from Mobile2,3
County.
Seasonal distribution: October 20.
Remarks: V. M. Kirk collected 2 of these
beetles, which the senior author identified, in bogs in South Carolina.
|
| KUSCHELINA
BECHYNÉ |
|
| CAPRAITA
BECHYNÉ |
|
| DISONYCHA
CHEVROLAT |
|
| ALTICA
FABRICIUS |
|
| SYPHRAEA
BALY |
Genus Syphraea Baly
Syphraea Baly, 1876, Trans.
Entomol. Soc. London, p. 447.
Oval, compact, small black or blue-black
flea beetles. Frontal tubercles obliquely elongate, not distinctly laterally
margined but merging into mesal margin of eyes. Pronotal prebasal transverse
impression angled at meson, forming a pair of arches; anterior corner
setae inserted somewhat behind the front angles. Anterior coxal cavities
open behind.
W. J. Brown (personal communication) suggested
to us that S. nana (Crotch) possibly was misclassified in the
genus Altica. After Dr. Gerhard Scherer, Museum G. Frey, Tutzing,
West Germany, examined it and S. nigritula (Linell) he suggested
transferring both of these species to Syphraea Baly.
Key to the Alabama Species
of Syphraea
1. Anterior femora yellow-brown, first
4 antennal segments light brown..... nigritula
Anterior femora and first 4 antennal segments dark brown..... nana
Syphraea nigritula
(Linell) *
Haltica nigritula Linell,
1897, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 20: 484.
Syphraea nigritula (Linell), new combination.
Oval, convex. Shining black with metallic
deep blue-green reflections. Antennal segments 1-4 yellow-brown, 5-11
brown. Legs yellow-brown, posterior femora brown. Venter black. Pronotum
strongly convex, finely punctate, prebasal transverse impression deep.
Elytra coarsely, irregularly punctate. Length 1.8-2.5 mm. Width 0.9-1.2
mm.
Alabama records: 18 specimens from Houston1
County.
Seasonal distribution: July 9-August 10.
Remarks: These beetles were collected
by sweeping roadside vegetation. Although very similar in appearance
to S. nana (Crotch), they differ by their larger size and greater
yellowness of their appendages.
Syphraea nana
(Crotch) Fig. 43
Haltica nana Crotch, 1873,
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 25: 72.
Haltica nanula LeConte, 1884, Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 11:
29.
Syphraea nana (Linell), new combination.
Oblong oval, convex. Shining black with
faint hint of deep blue or green. Antennae brown. Femora dark brown
or black, tibiae, femoral apexes, and bases of tibiae somewhat lighter
brown. Length 1.4-2.1 mm. Width 0.8-1.2 mm.
Alabama records: 155 specimens from Lee1,
Marion1, and Winston1 counties.
Seasonal distribution: July 11-29.
Remarks: This minute flea beetle lives
and feeds on Crotonopsis elliptica, a plant of shallow soil
on rock outcroppings. All of the above specimens were definitely collected
from this host. Six beetles, possibly of this species, were found in
Loding's collection. Because of non-association with food-plant material,
his specimens were not conclusively determined.
|
| STRABALA
CHEVROLAT |
Genus Strabala Chevrolat
Strabala Chevrolat, 1837,
in Dejean, Cat. Coleopt. 3rd ed. livr. 5, p. 413.
Oval, yellow-orange brown or red-brown,
legs, venter, antennae, and scutellum usually dark. Antennae moderately
stout, not reaching middle of elytra. Pronotum flat, with indistinct
transverse subbasal depression not laterally limited by longitudinal
depression. Elytra irregularly, closely punctate. Anterior coxal cavities
open behind. Posterior tibiae with an apical spur. Apical segment of
posterior tarsi not globosely inflated. Claws appendiculate.
The nominate form of following species
occurs in Alabama. A smoother, less distinctly punctate subspecies,
S. rufa floridana Blake, occurs in Florida.
Strabala rufa
(Illiger) Fig. 33
Haltica rufa Illiger, 1807,
Mag. Insektenk. 6: 152.
Oval. Head, pronotum, and elytra dull
red-brown. Elytra closely punctate. Antennae, eyes, scutellum, venter
from mesosternum caudad, and legs, except posterior femora, black. Length
4.4-5.0 mm. Width 2.5-3.2 mm.
Alabama records: 16 specimens from Baldwin1,
Clay1, Escambia1, Houston1, Lee1,
Macon1, and Mobile2 counties.
Seasonal distribution: March 17-October
1.
|
| MONOMACRA
CHEVROLAT |
Genus
Monomacra Chevrolat
Monomacra Chevrolat, 1837,
in Dejean, Cat. Coleopt., 3rd ed. (5): 389.
Lactica Erichson, 1847, Arch. Naturg. 13: 173.
Camoena Baly, 1862, Jour. Entomol. 1: 458 (not Herrich-Schaeffer,
1868).
Medonia Baly, 1865, Jour. Entomol. 1: 459 (not Candeze, 1860).
Halticodes Blackburn, 1896, Trans. Roy. Soc. South Australia
20: 41.
Head inserted into prothorax as far as
eyes, frontal tubercles not prominent, antennae over 1/2 body length,
3rd segment shorter than 4th. Pronotum shining with deep transverse
prebasal impression limited laterally by longitudinal impression to
base, space between impression and basal margin flat. Elytra oval. Procoxal
cavities open behind. Anterior and middle tibiae bisulcate on lateral
side, hind tibiae with short sulcus and row of ciliae on outer edge.
Tarsal claws appendiculate.
The 2 Alabama species formerly were classified
in the genus Lactica Erichson.
Key to the Alabama Species
of Monomacra
1. Elytra yellow..... M. tibialis
Elytra blue..... M. iris
Monomacra tibialis
(Olivier)
Lactica tibialis Olivier,
1808, Entomol. 6: 697.
Lactica ocreata Say, 1832, Ins. La., p. 7.
Lactica religata Jacq. du Val., 1856, Hist. phys. Cuba Ins.
VII, p. 311.
Lactica xanthochroa Harold, 1875, Col. Hefte XIII, p. 89.
Oval, shining yellow. Antennal segments
2 or 3-11, eyes, and legs from femoral apexes to and including tarsi
black. Length 3.3-4.6 mm. Width 1.6-2.3 mm.
Alabama records: 39 specimens from Baldwin2,
Cleburne1, Dallas1, Etowah2, Lee1,
Macon1, Madison2, and Winston1 counties.
Seasonal distribution: April 21-August
5.
Remarks: This species can be collected
at lights or by beating Passiflora incarnata.
Monomacra iris
(Olivier)
Lactica iris Olivier, 1808,
Entomol. 6: 702.
Lactica specularis Harold, 1875, Col. Hefte XIII, p. 89.
Oval. Head and prothorax shining yellow.
Elytra shining metallic blue-purple. Antennal segments 1-3 yellow, 4-11
black. Front and middle legs yellow but their tibiae black on lateral
surfaces. Metasternum, abdomen, and posterior legs black. Length 3.3-4.6
mm. Width 1.8-3.6 mm.
Alabama records: 19 specimens from Cleburne1,
Lee1, Limestone2, Macon1, and Tuscaloosa2,3
counties.
Seasonal distribution: June 14-July 24.
Remarks: We collected this species by
beating Phytolacca americana and Passiflora incarnata.
|
| HORNALTICA
BARBER |
Genus
Hornaltica Barber
Hornaltica Barber, 1941, Proc.
Entomol. Soc. Wash. 43: 66.
Head set in prothorax to eyes, antennae
less than 1/2 body length. Pronotum with transverse prebasal impression
limited laterally by short longitudinal impressions to base. Elytra
glabrous, striate-punctate, striae becoming obsolete at apex. Anterior
coxal cavities open behind.
Key to the Alabama Species
of Hornaltica
1. Elytra black, thorax red-yellow.....
H. bicolorata
Dorsum entirely yellow-brown..... H. atriventris
Hornaltica bicolorata (Horn) *
Fig. 36
Diphaulaca bicolorata Horn, 1889,
Trans. Amer. Entomol. Soc. 16: 234.
Broadly oval, convex. Head and prothorax
shining, dark red-yellow. Elytra shining black; venter from mesothorax
caudad, black. Legs yellow-brown. Prothorax with prebasal transverse
impression, limited laterally by apically. Length 2.1-2.3 mm. Width
1.2-1.3 mm.
Alabama records: 3 specimens from Baldwin1
and Choctaw1 counties.
Seasonal distribution: August 27-28.
Remarks: The specimens seen may have been
swept from Acalypha sp.
Hornaltica atriventris
(Melsheimer)
Crepidodera atriventris Melsheimer,
1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 165.
Broadly oval, convex, yellow-brown, abdomen
black. Head with frontal tubercles not prominent. Pronotum with prebasal
transverse impression limited laterally by short longitudinal impressions.
Length 1.6-1.9 mm. Width 0.9-1.1 mm.
Alabama records: 35 specimens from Baldwin1,
Clay1, Coosa1, Houston1, Lee1,
Limestone1, Macon1, Madison1,3, and
Mobile2,3 counties.
Seasonal distribution: March 28-August
28.
Remarks: Wilcox (94) gives Acalypha
spp. as the host for these flea beetles but we have collected some by
sweeping Vicia sp. and Beassica sp.
|
| CREPIDODERA
CHEVROLAT |
Crepidodera Chevrolat, 1837,
in Dejean, Cat. Coleopt. 3rd ed., 415. Type-species: Chrysomela
nitidula Fabricius.
Chalcoides Foudras, 1859, Hist. Nat. Col. France, Altisides,
312.
Foudrasia des Gozis, 1882, Soc. Entomol. France, Ann. Ser. 6,
1 (Bull.): CXXXIV (new name for Chalcoides
Foudras).
Oval or elongate oval, shining. Pronotum
with prebasal transverse impression limited laterally by longitudinal
furrows to base; punctate. Elytra glabrous, regularly punctate-striate.
Anterior coxal cavities closed behind. Tarsal claws appendiculate.
Two species have been found in Alabama.
It is possible that Crepidodora violacea (Melsheimer), a feeder
on Prunus or Crataegus, will eventually be collected
in the State.
Key to the Alabama Species
of Crepidodera
1. Elytra unicolorous green, blue-green,
or bronze green..... C. nana
Elytra red-yellow with faint green lustre, suture dark green..... C.
longula
Crepidodera nana
(Say) Fig. 37
Altica nana Say, 1824, Jour. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 86.
Haltica opulenta LeConte, 1858, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
9: 86.
?Chalcoides chittendeni Heikertinger.
Oval. Shining metallic green, blue-green,
or bronze green. Head smooth with setigerous punctures in supra-orbital
groove; antennae yellow. Pronotum coarsely punctate. Elytral punctures
coarse, in regular striae. Legs usually entirely yellow. Length 2.5-3.3
mm. Width 1.1-1.8 mm.
Alabama records: 187 specimens from Baldwin1,
Blount1, Clarke1, Clay1, Cleburne1,
Crenshaw1, Elmore1, Escambia1, Etowah2,
Franklin1, Houston1, Jefferson1, Lawrence1,
Lee1, Macon1, Marion1, Marshall1,
Mobile2, Shelby1, Tallapoosa1, and Walker1
counties.
Seasonal distribution: March 20-September
18.
Remarks: The host plant for this common
flea beetle is Salix sp.
Crepidodera longula
Horn*
Crepidodera longula Horn, 1889, Trans.
Amer. Entomol. Soc. 16: 239.
Elongate oval. Shining red-yellow, with
slight greenish lustre. Head smooth, shining with setigerous puncture
close to supra-orbital groove. Pronotal punctures both coarse and fine,
not especially dense. Elytral suture dark green, color wider and more
intense at base and narrowing toward apex. Legs and venter also red-yellow.
Length 2.8 mm. Width 1.4 mm.
Alabama records: 1 specimen from Marion1
County.
Seasonal distribution: July 12.
Remarks: Only a single specimen of this
apparently rare beetle has been collected, probably by beating Salix.
(Trees of this genus ocurred at the collection site and Horn (63)
in his description of this species also recorded Salix sp. as
the host plant.) W. J. Brown (personal communication), however, recognizes
a second, similar species of which this specimen may be an example. More
study is needed to determine the proper application of names. |
| EPITHRIX
FOUDRAS |
|
| ORTHALTICA
CROTCH |
Genus
Orthaltica Crotch
Orthaltica Crotch, 1873, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
25: 69.
Elongate subparallel. Head oval, 4th antennal
segment subequal in length to 3rd. Prothorax wider than long, disc convex,
with moderately deep prebasal transverse impression. Humeri of elytra
prominent, elytra striate-punctate with sparse pubescence. Prosternal
coxal cavities closed behind. Prosternum broad between front coxae.
Metafemora short, subequal to 1/2 length of abdomen, not reaching apex
of elytra.
Key to the Alabama Species of Orthaltica
1. Lateral margins of prothorax serrate.....
O. copalina
Lateral margins of prothorax entire..... O. melina
Orthaltica copalina
(Fabricius)
Cioceris cophalina Fabricius, 1801,
Syst. Eleuth. I., p. 466.
Haltica forticornis Illiger, 1807, Mag. Insektenk. 6: 111.
Elongate, subparallel, dark brown, pronotum
usually lighter brown. Head with clypeus and frontal tubercles yellow-brown;
frons shining, punctate. Antennae in males 3/4 or more of body length,
segments stout, first segment thickly clavate; in females antennae about
1/2 of body length, segments not so thickened, gradually wider toward
apex. Prothorax punctate, with transverse prebasal impression; broader,
more convex in male; lateral margins serrate. Elytra striate-punctate,
punctures confused in scutellar region; sparsely pubescent; humeri prominent.
Length 2.1-3.0 mm. Width 0.9-1.4 mm.
Alabama records: 22 specimens from DeKalb1,
Houston1, Lee1, Macon1, Marion1,
Mobile2, Tallapoosa1, and Winston1
counties.
Seasonal distribution: April 11-June 16.
Remarks: This species feeds on poison
ivy and sumac (Rhus spp.) (94).
Orthaltica melina
Horn*
Orthaltica melina Horn, 1889, Trans.
Amer. Entomol. Soc. 16: 248.
Elongate, subparallel, light yellow-brown.
Head unicolorous, frons with few coarse punctures. Antennae 2/3 length
of body. Pronotum shining, punctate, with transverse prebasal impression
widest at apical third and tapering to base, lateral margins not serrate.
Elytra striate-punctate, punctures not confused near scutellum, sparsely
pubescent. Length 1.9-2.3 mm. Width 0.9-1.0 mm.
Alabama records: 3 specimens from "Corner
of Lee1, Macon1, and Tallapoosa1"
and Winston1 counties.
Seasonal distribution: May 14-June 3.
|
| LUPERALTICA
CROTCH |
Genus
Luperaltica Crotch
Luperaltica Crotch, 1873,
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 25: 70.
Elongate, slightly oval. Apex of mandible narrow, with single point.
Pronotum broader than long, feebly or not at all impressed before base.
Posterior femora thickened , but not greatly so. Posterior tibiae with
short spur at apex.
Key to the Alabama Species
of Luperaltica
1. Elytra indistinctly punctate, alutaceous;
brown-yellow to dark brown..... L. nigripalpis
Elytra distinctly, closely punctate; shining, brown with metallic green.....
L. senilis
Luperaltica nigripalpis
(LeConte) *
Longitarsus nigripalpis LeConte,
1859, Smithson. Cont. Knowl. 11: 26.
Malacosoma fuscula LeConte, 1865, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
17: 206.
Luperaltica fuscula novellus Crotch, 1873, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci. Philadelphia 25: 70 (var.).
Elongate, very slightly oval, usually
brown-yellow, less frequently darker yellow-brown in more northern Alabama
specimens. Elytra minutely alutaceous, irregularly punctate with fine
sparse punctures. Length 2.8-3.7 mm. Width 1.4-1.9 mm.
Alabama records: 115 specimens from Cleburne1,
Coosa1, Franklin1, Henry1, Lee1,
Marion1, and Winston1 counties.
Seasonal distribution: August 13-September
17.
Remarks: These beetles have been collected
by sweeping Ambrosia sp. Luperaltica nigripalpis tends
to vary geographically from darker to lighter brown from north to south.
Specimens seen from Pennsylvania were dark brown with slight hints of
blue.
Luperaltica senilis
(Say) *
Altica senilis Say, 1824, Jour.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 4: 87.
Malacosoma tincta LeConte, 1865, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia
17: 206.
Elongate, slightly oval. Head with clypeus
and frontal tubercles yellow, frons brown. Pronotum yellow-brown, alutaceous,
with indistinct prebasal transverse impression. Elytra shining metallic
brown with green lustre; distinctly, irregularly punctate, suture lighter
brown. Length 3.5-3.6 mm. Width 1.8-1.9 mm.
Alabama records: 2 specimens from Coosa1
County.
Seasonal distribution: August 13.
Remarks: Our 2 specimens were collected
by sweeping Ambrosia sp. and were among specimens of Luperaltica
nigripalpis.
|
| MANTURA
STEPHENS |
Genus
Mantura Stephens
Mantura Stephens, 1831, Illus. Brit. Entomol.
Mandib. 4: 285, 322. Type-species: Chrysomela rustica
Linnaeus.
Cardiapus Curtis, 1833, Brit. Entomol. 10: 435.
Balanomorpha Chevrolat, 1837, in Dejean, Cat. Coleopt.,
ed. 3, 394.
Stenomantura Heikertinger, 1909, Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, Verh.
59: 370. Subgenus.
Head with carina or tubercles. Antennae
1/2 body length. Pronotum without transverse prebasal impression but
with short lateral longitudinal impressions. Procoxal cavities closed
behind.
Only the following species occurs in Alabama.
Mantura floridana
Crotch*
Mantura floridana Crotch,
1873, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 25: 73.
Elongate oval, dark brown with very slight
bronze lustre, apex of elytra yellow-brown. Head and pronotum coarsely
punctate, latter with pair of short, deep, longitudinal, lateral, basal
impressions. Elytra striate-punctate, punctures and striae obsolete
apically. Length 2.1-2.5 mm. Width 1.1-1.3 mm.
Alabama records: 56 specimens from Baldwin1,
Elmore1, Houston1, Lee1, Macon1,
and Mobile2 counties.
Seasonal distribution: March 20-November.
Remarks: This species feeds on plantain
(Plantago sp.) and dock (Rumex sp.) (94).
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| CHAETOCNEMA
STEPHENS |
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| SYSTENA
CHEVROLAT |
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| LONGITARSUS
LATREILLE |
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| PHYLLOTRETA
STEPHENS |
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| PALAEOTHONA
JACOBY |
Genus Palaeothona Jacoby
Palaeothona Jacoby, 1880, Biol. Centr.-Amer.
Col. 6(1): 377.
Trachymetopa Weise, 1899, Deutsche Entomol. Zeitschr., p. 139.
Small, oval, subconvex. Frontal tubercles
swollen, separated from frons by impression. Antennae slightly longer
than 1/2 body length. Procoxal cavities open behind. Posterior tibiae
with mid apical spur, tibial apex laterally with fringe of small setae.
First posterior tarsal segment subequal in length to 2nd and 3rd together.
One of 2 North American species is known
from Alabama. It was classified by Loding (75) as a Phyllotreta.
Palaeothona picta
(Say)
Altica picta Say, 1859, Jour. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 4: 87.
Trachymetopha cretica Weise, 1899, Deutsche Entomol. Zeitschr.,
p. 140.
Oval, somewhat convex. Antennae yellow-orange,
apical 4 or 5 segments dark brown. Head and prothorax yellow-orange.
Elytra shining metallic green, blue-green or more rarely dark purple-brown;
closely, finely, irregularly punctate. Except for orange prosternum,
venter black. Legs light yellow-brown, posterior femora brown. Length
2.3-2.8 mm. Width 1.2-1.8 mm.
Alabama records: 64 specimens from Clay1,
Cleburne1, Escambia1, Etowah2, Houston1,
Jackson2, Lee1, Macon1, Madison1,
Marion1, Mobile2, and Winston1,2 counties.
Seasonal distribution: April 1-August
18.
Remarks: The host plants for P. picta
are Quercus spp.
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| GLYPTINA
LECONTE |
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| APHTHONA
CHEVROLAT |
Genus Aphthona Chevrolat
Aphthona Chevrolat, 1842, d'Orbigny's Dic. d'Hist.
Nat. 2: 5. Type-species: Altica cyparissiae; first
species mentioned.
Small species. Front carinate between
antennae, with tubercles above carina. Antennae longer than 1/2 body
length. Prothorax broader than long. Elytra wider at base than prothorax.
Procoxal cavities open behind. Posterior tibiae apically emarginate
with spur on outer lobe.
Only the following species is known from
Alabama.
Aphthona insolita
(Melsheimer)
Cerataltica insolita Melsheimer,
1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 168.
Broadly oval. Shining red-brown. Head,
smooth, impunctate. Antennae longer than 1/2 body length; brown, 3rd,
4th, 5th, 10th, and 11th segments ventrally more yellow. Pronotum shining,
very minutely punctulate; 1/3 wider than long, anterior margins obliquely
truncate with post apical angulations, posterior corners tuberculate;
lateral margins narrowly explanate. Elytra considerably wider than prothorax,
humeri prominent; surface shining, disc with fine punctures in rows
but striae not at all impressed; apex impunctate. Length 1.9-2.1 mm.
Width 1.1-1.2 mm.
Alabama records: 3 specimens from Lee1,
Macon1, and Mobile2,3 counties.
Seasonal distribution: April 7-May 14.
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| DIBOLIA
LATREILLE |
Genus Dibolia Latreille
Dibolia Latreille, 1829, in
Cuvier, Regne Anim., ed. 5: 155. Type-species: Haltica occultana
Koch.
Small, convex, usually metallic. Head
sunken into prothorax, clypeus extending as carina between antennae.
Prothorax broader than long, narrowed anteriorly. Elytra oval, width
at base equal to that of prothorax. Anterior coxal cavities open behind.
Posterior femora strongly thickened. Posterior tibiae laterally grooved
and denticulate near apex, apex with medial broad spur, apically bifurcate.
Claws appendiculate.
Only Dibolia sinuata Horn has
been positively identified from Alabama. Several other specimens of
Dibolia (near borealis Chevrolat) have also been collected
in the State. However, W. J. Brown, Canada Department of Agriculture,
who graciously examined these specimens, informed us (personal communication)
that they are not D. borealis. (Loding (75) recorded
D. borealis but his specimens were really Psylliodes punctulata
Melsheimer.) The unidentified Dibolia are possibly new. Further
material and knowledge of their biology are required before they can
accurately be described. Dibolia borealis is known as a larval
leaf miner of plantain (94).
Dibolia sinuata
Horn*
Dibolia sinuata Horn, 1889, Trans.
Amer. Entomol. Soc. 16: 307.
Broadly oval, convex. Head, antennae,
and legs, except posterior femora, red-brown, these femora black. Pronotum
2 times as wide as long, narrowed anteriorly, shining black, faintly,
closely punctate basomedially. Elytra shining steel blue, punctate-striate,
somewhat irregularly so; interstrial spaces with irregular fine punctures;
apexes of elytra sinuate. First segment of anterior tarsal claws enlarged
in males (as broad as long), slender in females (longer than broad).
Length 3.1-3.2 mm. Width 2.0-2.1 mm.
Alabama records: 3 specimens from Lee1
and Mobile2 counties.
Seasonal distribution: June 3.
Remarks: This species is apparently rare.
It was described by Horn (63) from a single specimen from Texas.
The Lee County material was collected by sweeping roadside vegetation.
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| PSYLLIODES
LATREILLE |
Genus Psylliodes Latreille
Psylliodes Latreille, 1825,
Fam. Nat. Regne Anim. 405.
Macrocnema Stephens, 1816, Illustr. Brit. Entomol. Mandib.
4: 317 (not Hübner).
Macrocnema Weise, 1888, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. Col. 6: 785,
793 (not Stephens).
Eupus Wallaston, 1854, Ins. Mader., 452,
Fig. 5.
Psyllomina Bedel, 1898, Faune Col. Bassin Seine 5: 200. Subgenus,
new name for Macrocnema Weise,
not Stephens.
Phyllomima C. Waterhouse, 1902, Ind. Zool. 1: 287 (err.).
Elongate oval species. Head oval, deeply
inserted into prothorax, clypeal carina and frontal tubercles absent.
Antennae 11-segmented. Prothorax broader than long, narrowed anteriorly.
Posterior femora grooved to receive tibiae. Posterior tibiae with preapical
tarsal insertion, dentate, apex ending as spur. First segment of posterior
tarsi more than 1/2 length of tibiae. Claws simple.
Only one species is thus far known from
the State.
Psylliodes punctulata
Melsheimer*
Psylliodes punctulata Melsheimer,
1847, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 3: 166.
Psylliodes parvicollis LeConte, 1860 (1857), Rept. Explor.
Surv. Miss. Pacif. 12: 69.
Psylliodes extricata Casey, 1884, Contrib. Descript. Col. N.
Amer. I., p. 54.
Psylliodes aenescens Casey, 1884, Contrib. Descript. Col. N.
Amer. I., p. 55.
Elongate oval. Shining pitchy black with
a hint of bronze metallic lustre. Antennae and legs red-brown, femora
varying from black to bronze, latter shade especially occurring in posterior
femora. Head sparsely to moderately punctate, punctures not coarse.
Pronotal punctation slightly coarser, only faintly alutaceous between
punctures. Elytra punctate-striate, striae feebly impressed; innerstrial
spaces punctulate. Males with first segment of anterior tarsi greatly
enlarged; 5th ventral abdominal segment with semioval groove. Length
2.5-3.3 mm. Width 1.2-1.8 mm.
Alabama records: 74 specimens from Houston1,
Lee1, Macon1, Mobile2, St. Clair1,
Tallapoosa1, and Tuscaloosa1 counties.
Seasonal distribution: March 9-November
19.
Remarks: Series of these beetles have
been obtained by sweeping Trifolium incarnatum.
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