Author
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Smith, David |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2003 Publication Date: 5/15/2006 Citation: Smith, D.R. 2006. Checklist of the Pergidae (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) of the western hemisphere, with a new genus and two new species. Book Chapter. p. 613-626. Interpretive Summary: The caterpillar-like larvae of sawflies are plant feeders and many cause economic damage to agricultural crops, forests, and ornamental plants; some are considered potential biological control agents for invasive weeds. For one sawfly family, 269 species are known for Western Hemisphere, most from the tropics. An up-to-date list is provided with current distributional data and known food plants. Some are destructive to guava and some are poisonous to livestock if ingested; others are potential biological control agents for the invasive Brazilian peppertree in the U.S. The data will be of use to scientists studying plant-feeding insects and to APHIS for up-to-date information on these insects for areas south of the United States. Technical Abstract: The sawfly family Pergidae in the Western Hemisphere currently includes 269 species in 34 genera and 8 subfamilies. A checklist is given that includes all described species with their known distribution, known food plants, and literature since the previous 1990 major work on the family. Acordulecera krausi, n. sp., from Costa Rica, and Krausius, n. gen., and Krausius colombia, n. sp., from Colombia are described and illustrated. |
