Chilean Acanthosomatidae: Host plants and economic importance

The host plants of the Chilean Acanthosomatidae are listed and commented upon. Thirteen acanthosomatid species in 12 genera are associated with 13 species of plants from the families Nothofagaceae, Poaceae, Ephedraceae, Onagraceae, Polygonaceae, Apiaceae, Roseaceae, Berberidaceae and Grossulariaceae. Ten species in this list are new records.  One of the most important species economically is Ditomotarsus punctiventris Spinola, 1852, a generalist feeder that has been found on several different crops and in greenhouses in significant numbers (50 or more specimens), and has damaged fruits and vegetables (e.g. Ribes rubrum L. and R. grossularia L., Grossulariaceae) which are exported from Chile.  Another possible pest, Phorbanta variabilis Signoret, 1864, feeds on an important fruit of exportation from Patagonia, Berberis microphylla G. Forst. (Berberidaceae).  Finally, Sinopla perpunctatus Signoret, 1864 feeds on native forests of Nothofagus Blume (Nothofagaceae) species, which is an important forest species in Chile, damaging the leaves and fruits.  The results of this work shows that some acanthosmatids must be considered to be economically important, and not inocuous as several others have indicated. Additionally a pictorial key is added to recognize the species of economic importance.