| Acropteroxys gracilis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Erotylidae |
| Genus: | Acropteroxys |
| Species: | A. gracilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Acropteroxys gracilis (Newman, 1838) | |
| Synonyms | |
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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]
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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]
