Alligator weed flea beetle

Agasicles hygrophila

"Agasicles hygrophila" is a species of leaf beetle known by the common name alligator weed flea beetle. It has been used successfully as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious aquatic plant known as alligator weed.
A striped beetle - Agasicles hygrophila Looked and looked but can't find Agasicles hygrophila,Alligator weed flea beetle,Australia,Geotagged,Summer

Appearance

The adult beetle is 5 mm in length and black with yellow stripes on its elytra.
Agasicles hygrophila Agasicles hygrophila became established at release sites on the Georges River, near Sydney (New South Wales), The flea beetle Agasicles hygrophila Selman & Vogt and the moth Vogtia malloi Pastrana were released in Australia in 1977 as bilogical control agents against alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides).https://www.cabi.org/isc/abstract/19800578625 Agasicles hygrophila,Alligator weed flea beetle,Australia,Geotagged,Summer

Distribution

This beetle is established in much of the southeastern United States, where it lives on alligator weed only.
Alligator weed flea beetle - Agasicles hygrophila Agasicles hygrophila,Alligator weed flea beetle,Eamw beetles,Florida,Geotagged,United States,Winter

Reproduction

The female lays about 1,000 eggs in her six-week lifetime. Millimeter-long eggs are laid in rows on leaves, and the small yellow larvae emerge and eat the leaves. Adults also feed on the leaves. Defoliation of alligator weed mats kills the weed and clears the infested waterway.

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderColeoptera
FamilyChrysomelidae
GenusAgasicles
SpeciesA. hygrophila
Photographed in
Australia
United States of America