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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373822
Research Project: Beetle Taxonomy and Systematics Supporting U.S. Agriculture, Arboriculture and Biological Control

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Blakealtica, a new genus of flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) from the Dominican Republic

Author
item VISWAJYOTHI, KEEZHPATTILLAM - Kerala Agricultural University
item Konstantinov, Alexander - Alex

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2020
Publication Date: 8/14/2020
Citation: Viswajyothi, K., Konstantinov, A.S. 2020. Blakealtica, a new genus of flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) from the Dominican Republic. ZooKeys. 959:1-16.

Interpretive Summary: Leaf beetles, especially flea beetles, are among the most important insects for 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 control unwanted and invasive weeds. This work documents a discovery of a new genus and species of flea beetles from the West Indies. The new genus and related genera are described, illustrated and compared to each other. The study will be useful to biological control workers, evolutionary biologists, ecologists, and anyone interested in plant feeding beetles.

Technical Abstract: Blakealtica fusca new genus and new species (Dominican Republic) is described and illustrated. In addition to external features, beetle thoracic sclerites (including metendosternite) are fully examined and illustrated. Blakealtica is similar to Monomacra Chevrolat,1836 and related genera (Disonycha Chevrolat, 1836, Hemilactica Blake, 1937, Myrmeconycha Konstantinov & Tishechkin, 2017, Parchicola Bechyne & Bechyne, 1975, Pseudodisonycha Blake, 1954, Rosalactica Bechyne & Bechyne, 1977) as all studied representatives of these genera are missing sclerotized vaginal palpi or have them membranous and otherwise poorly developed. This feature may be unique for the Monomacra group of genera as they have not been seen anywhere else in flea beetles.