Forum Entomologi Italiani

Altica ampelophaga - Altica lythri?

Ile mangia Lythrum salicaria

Both species are indistinguishable based on external characters, only male genitalia are diagnostic. But biological preferences can help in identification. A. ampelophaga feeds on Vitis vitifera while A. lythri on various Onagraceae and Lythraceae.

Thanks Lech, both species are recorded from Lythrum salicaria as host plant and hence my doubt. But if you tell me that L. salicaria is a minot host plant for A. ampelophaga and that the chances are much greater for A. lythri, then I will keep the record as such species.