摘要：

The genus Acalymma Barber comprises 72 species widely distributed in America, mainly in the neotropical region. The taxonomy of this genus is in a confused state because of the superficial simility of all species, which posses similar color patterns and elytral punctation. The importance of mouthpart characters for describing taxa (Wilcox, 1965) or assessing phylogenetic relationships among subfamilies of Chrysomelidae, mainly referred to Alticinae/Galerucinae, has been noted by Reid (1995), Crowson and Crowson (1996) and Lingafelter and Konstantinov (1999). Specimens from 13 species of Acalymma belonging to A. gouldi group, A. horni group and A. peregrinum group were examined. The present paper provides a description of the mouthparts of Acalymma. It also discusses the value of structures pertaining to the alimentary habits of Diabroticites and some phylogenetic relationships between Alticinae/Galerucinae. The mouthparts of Acalymma are characterized by: mandibles pyramidal, with 5 apical teeth; with a well developed molar area and prostheca and a setose membrane; maxilla with stipes divided, galea well developed and lacinia and maxillary palp 4-segmented; labium with ligula membranous, slightly developed, not bilobate and labial palp 3-segmented.

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