Alligator weed flea beetle (Agasciles)

Taxonomic group

Chrysomelidae: Agasciles

Diagnostic features

Agasciles is a beetle with a grub-like larva, having short legs and a large soft abdomen. The adults have a body shape similar to many terrestrial beetles, and are about 5mm long with strong yellow and black longitudinal striping on the elytra (hard wing covers).

Gallery

Larva of the Alligator weed flea beetle [Agasciles]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Larva of the Alligator weed flea beetle Agasciles. Image: Stephen Moore

Adult Alligator weed flea beetle [Agasciles]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Adult Alligator weed flea beetle Agasciles. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

The larvae and adults of Agasciles live on the aquatic pest plant alligator weed, but above the water so they are not strictly aquatic.

Feeding

Because Agasciles feeds on alligator weed, it is used as a biocontrol agent.

Indicator value

The presence of Agasciles is more likely to reflect the presence of alligator weed, rather than any aspect of water quality. This genus has not been assigned tolerance values.