AVRDUDE does not support ATmega8U2

The ATmega8U2 is not listed as a supported device for AVRDUDE, at least according to the list of parts at AVRDUDE: 2.2 Programmers accepting extended parameters.

I would have tried AT90USB82, as recommended for the Atmel Flip DFU programmer (http://arduino.cc/en/Hacking/DFUProgramming8U2), but that too is not listed.

The discussion at http://www.avrfreaks.net/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=91943 suggests using the -F switch to disable signature checking, and to then use AT90USB162 which apparently is compatible, but again, that part does not seem to be listed as a supported device.

Any suggestions on the best way to proceed?

To put this in context, I am trying to program my Uno's ATmega8U2 using its ICSP interface (which is a different 6 pins on the Uno than for the ATmega328). I am doing this to eliminate the bootloader on the 8U2 which consumes 4K of its flash.

Thanks,
Henry

Here are some comments on this from 2007, but they don't say that they successfully tested their recommended config:
http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=19357

henryboot:
Here are some comments on this from 2007, but they don't say that they successfully tested their recommended config:
Is atmega8u2 supported in avrdude? - adafruit industries

Those comments are from this year.