About Agasicles hygrophila Selman & Vogt, 1971
Agasicles hygrophila, a species of leaf beetle, is commonly called the alligator weed flea beetle. It has been successfully used as a biological pest control agent against the noxious aquatic plant alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides). This beetle is native to South America, and has been imported to regions where alligator weed has become a problem. Adult beetles measure 5 mm in length; they are black with yellow stripes on their elytra. Over a six-week lifetime, a female lays approximately 1,000 eggs. These millimeter-long eggs are laid in rows on leaves. Small yellow larvae emerge from the eggs and feed on leaves, and adult beetles also feed on leaves. When alligator weed mats become defoliated from this feeding, the weed dies and infested waterways are cleared. This beetle is now established across most of the southeastern United States, where it feeds and lives only on alligator weed. It has also been used for biological control of alligator weed in New Zealand.
