Genus Itaitubana Bechyné, 1963

Itaitubana Bechyné, 1963: 238

(type species Galerucella spinipennis Bowditch, 1923, by monotypy).

Remarks

This genus currently contains nine species, distributed from Mexico through much of South America. See Figs 26–27 and 222 for habitus illustrations and morphological details. However, the species are heterogeneous. Among other things, the tarsal claws are reported to be either bifid or appendiculate. Future investigation will likely reveal that some species need to be transferred to other genera. Beyond the claws, the relative lengths of the antennomeres also vary. Some workers have used the very long third antennomere as a diagnostic character for Itaitubana (e.g., Bechyné & Bechyné 1969). Indeed, we have employed this character in the following key. However, species such as I. alternata (Jacoby, 1886) do not have this characteristic. Future study may prove that they would be better placed in Caraguata .