Acallepitrix
J. Bechyné, 1956
flea beetles
Acallepitrix is a of ( ) in the , established by J. Bechyné in 1956. The genus contains more than 20 described distributed across the Neotropics, Central America, and North America. At least one undescribed species has been studied as a candidate agent for Solanum weeds.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Acallepitrix: /ˌækəˈlɛpɪtrɪks/
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Habitat
High-rainfall regions; at least one associated with Solanum plants in Brazil.
Distribution
to the Neotropics, Central America, and North America. At least one undescribed native to Brazil.
Diet
; at least one feeds on Solanum species (Solanaceae).
Host Associations
- Solanum mauritianum - preferred for candidate agent
- Solanum melongena - sustained feeding and in no-choice tests, but inferior
Life Cycle
Larval development occurs in leaf mines; at least one exhibits leaf-mining .
Behavior
At least one undescribed shows significant feeding and preferences for Solanum mauritianum in paired choice tests.
Ecological Role
At least one has been evaluated as a candidate agent for Solanum mauritianum.
Human Relevance
One undescribed was imported to South Africa in 1997 for testing as a potential agent for Solanum mauritianum; release was not approved due to ambiguous -specificity results and potential risk to cultivated eggplant.
More Details
Taxonomic status
The was established by J. Bechyné in 1956. GBIF lists 59 , though Wikipedia and other sources cite 'more than 20 described species', suggesting taxonomic uncertainty or recent revisions.
Biocontrol research context
An undescribed ('Acallepitrix sp. nov.') from Brazil was studied extensively in South African . No-choice tests showed plants confined to Solanum, but several non-target species sustained feeding, , and larval development. Risk to eggplant was assessed as relatively low but not zero. Release was not approved pending additional field surveys and open-field trials in Brazil.