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
  • Languria divisa Horn, 1885

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
  1. "Acropteroxys gracilis Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  2. "Acropteroxys gracilis". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  3. A review of the North American Languriidae. Vaurie P. 1948. Bull. AMNH 92: 119-156.
  4. 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.


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