The first cladistic analysis to determine the monophyletic status of alticine and galerucine leaf beetles and their relationship to one another is provided. A classification based on their hypothesized relationships is proposed. Fifty morphological characters of adults were analyzed from twenty-nine taxa representing six traditionally recognized subfamilies (Orsodacninae, Aulacoscelidinae, Eumolpinae [including Synetini], Chrysomelinae, Galerucinae, and Alticinae), with an emphasis on thorough exemplar representation from galerucines and alticines. Cladistic analyses of these characters using the heuristic analysis of PAUP resulted in 444 equally most parsimonious cladograms, a consensus of which was mostly unresolved. Successive approximations weighting of these trees produced a nearly fully resolved hypothesis of relationships among the taxa. This hypothesis indicates the monophyly of chrysomelines + eumolpines + orsodacnines and monophyly of galerucines + alticines. Importantly, the alticines are a highly derived, strongly supported monophyletic group, nested within galerucines. Therefore, alticines must have a lower relative taxonomic rank (such as tribe) to Galerucinae in order to reflect this phylogenetic hypothesis.

Global trade facilitates the inadvertent movement of insect pests and subsequent establishment of populations outside their native ranges. Despite phytosanitary measures, nonnative insects arrive at United States (U.S.) ports of entry as larvae in solid wood packaging material (SWPM). Identification of wood-boring larval insects is important for pest risk analysis and management, but is difficult beyond family level due to highly conserved morphology. Therefore, we integrated DNA barcoding and rearing of larvae to identify wood-boring insects in SWPM. From 2012 to 2015, we obtained larvae of 338 longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and 38 metallic wood boring beetles (Buprestidae) intercepted in SWPM associated with imported products at six U.S. ports. We identified 265 specimens to species or genus using DNA barcodes. Ninety-three larvae were reared to adults and identified morphologically. No conflict was found between the two approaches, which together identified 275 cerambycids (23 genera) and 16 buprestids (4 genera). Our integrated approach confirmed novel DNA barcodes for seven species (10 specimens) of woodborers not in public databases. This study demonstrates the utility of DNA barcoding as a tool for regulatory agencies. We provide important documentation of potential beetle pests that may cross country borders through the SWPM pathway.

This study provides the most detailed description of the immature stages of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire to date and illustrates suites of larval characters useful in distinguishing among Agrilus Curtis species and instars. Immature stages of eight species of Agrilus were examined and imaged using light and scanning electron microscopy. For A. planipennis all preimaginal stages (egg, instars I-IV, prepupa and pupa) were described. A combination of 14 character states were identified that serve to identify larvae of A. planipennis. Our results support the segregation of Agrilus larvae into two informal assemblages based on characters of the mouthparts, prothorax, and abdomen: the A. viridis and A. ater assemblages, with A. planipennis being more similar to the former. Additional evidence is provided in favor of excluding A. planipennis from the subgenus Uragrilus.