Sphaeroderma rubidum, (Graells, 1858)

Bukejs, Andris, 2009, New data on little-known flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) in the fauna of Latvia, Baltic Journal of Coleopterology 9 (2), pp. 161-175 : 171

S. rubidum (Graėlls, 1858)

References: Pūtele 1980, 1981, 1981a; Barševskis 1993 (misidentifications), 2002 (misidentifications); Telnov et al. 1997; Leiskina 1999 (misidentifications); Telnov 2004; Bukejs, Telnov 2007 (misidentifications).

Examined material: Not confirmed by the author. Earlier reports of this species ( Barševskis 1993, 2002; Leiskina 1999; Bukejs, Telnov 2007) were based on misidentifications. Pūtele (1981) reported this species from Slītere National Park (NW Latvia). The author has reviewed 4 specimens of S. rubidum (without labels) from V. Pūtele collection, but all these specimens are belong to S. testaceum .

Host plants: Compositae ( Centaurea, Carduus, Onopordium ).

General distribution: Europe (northwards to S Sweden, Lithuania and Belarus), N Africa, Caucasus, Near East ( Israel), Asia Minor. [EUM] Note: The occurrence of this species in Latvian fauna is doubtful and needs further confirmation. Externally S. rubidum (Graėlls) is very similar to S. testaceum (F.). In S. rubidum (Graėlls) , the body is sub-circular; pronotum uniformly very finely punctate, lateral margins are not swollen and visible from above ( Fig. 1A, 1B); aedeagus as in Fig. 1C. In S. testaceum (F.) has body broadlyoval; pronotum with coarse punctures near the base and fine punctures on anterior part, lateral margins swollen and not visible from above ( Fig. 2A, 2B); aedeagus as in Fig. 2C.

ARGOPUS FISCHER, 1824

18 species of this genus are known in the Palaearctic. In Latvian fauna, 2 species are known. Larvae develop inside leaf mines, pupate in soil ( Bieńkowski 2004).