Abstract
Flea beetles of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Ama- ranthaceae), 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 Bechyne´ 1954 was the most abundant within Systena. This species is reported for the Þrst 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 Þve sclerotized plates. Differences in color patterns between S. nitentula, S. tenuis Bechyne´ , 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 Þeld 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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