Acropteroxys gracilis
Acropteroxys gracilis, the slender lizard beetle, is a species of Lizard Beetle in the family Erotylidae. It is found in Central America and North America, including into Canada.[1][2][3]
| Acropteroxys gracilis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Erotylidae |
| Genus: | Acropteroxys |
| Species: | A. gracilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Acropteroxys gracilis (Newman, 1838) | |
| Synonyms | |
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With a body length range of 6-12mm, it is narrower and shorter than its relative A. lecontei [4], the only other currently described species within this genus.
It is reported to feed upon Ambrosia plant species such as the Common Ragweed [5]. Members of this plant genus are serious agricultural pests and so this insect species has been investigated for potential use as a Biocontrol Agent[5]. However, A. gracilis is considered an economic pest due to its activity boring into the stems of Trifolium pratense (Red Clover), Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) and Melilotus spp. (Sweet Clover) as well as a number of other plants in the Asteraceae, Poaceae and Urticaceae families [5].
References
- "Acropteroxys gracilis Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- "Acropteroxys gracilis". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- "Acropteroxys gracilis species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- A review of the North American Languriidae. Vaurie P. 1948. Bull. AMNH 92: 119-156.
- Majka, Christopher & Migneault, Richard & Webster, Reginald. (2010). Acropteroxys gracilis (Newman): the first reports of a lizard beetle (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Languriinae) in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Entomol. Soc. 6. 28-29.
Further reading
- Lobl, I.; Smetana, A., eds. (2007). Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 4: Elateroidea - Derodontoidea - Bostrichoidea - Lymexyloidea - Cleroidea - Cucujoidea. Apollo Books. ISBN 978-8788757675.
