Aramigus tessellatus is a complex species with several lineages or morphotypes mainly differentiated by morphometric characters of pronotum, elytra, spermatheca and spermathecal duct (Lanteri & Díaz 1994). These morphotypes were also recognized based on molecular data of the gene COI (Normark & Lanteri 1998).
The most common morphotypes are tessellatus and pallidus, both introduced in USA. The most distinct morphotypes are viridipallens (iridescent green, with very slender and elongate elytra); and biseriatus (with lines of long erect setae along the elytral intervals). All the morphotypes (except biseriatus) are sympatric in the sierras of Córdoba and Tandil (Buenos Aires), delta of Paraná river and banks of La Plata river. A key to species of Aramigus and morphotypes of A. tessellatus is included in Lanteri & Díaz (1994).
Males are unknown or scarce and the species reproduces by parthenogenesis in most of its range (Lanteri & Normark 1995). Morphotypes pallidus and tessellatus are infected with the bacterium Wolbachia(Rodriguero et al. 2010a). The first instar larva of A. tessellatus was described by Marvaldi & Loiácono (1994), and eggs and oviposition habits have been studied by Marvaldi (1999).
A niche modeling analysis suggests that South Africa, western Australia and China are suitable for the establishment of this species, besides the countries in which it was introduced (Lanteri et al. 2013b).
It causes damage on Medicago sativa L. (Fabaceae) in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay (Alzugaray et al. 1998, Lanteri 1994); Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae), Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae), Triticum aestivum L, Avena sativa L. and Hordeum vulgare L. (Poaceae) in Argentina (Lanteri et al. 2002a); Rubus idaeus L., Prunus avium L. Malus domestica Borkh (Rosaceae), and Lupinus sp (Fabaceae) in Chile (Elgueta 1993).
It is common in pastures, shrubs and crops of the Pampean biogeographic province.