Flea beetle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Flea beetle is a general name applied to the small, jumping beetles of the leaf beetle family, Chrysomelidae. Two differing viewpoints hold that flea beetles are either a distinct subfamily, the Alticinae, or that they make up the tribe Alticini, which is a part of the subfamily Galerucinae.
The adults are very small to moderate sized beetles, having the morphological characteristics of all leaf beetles, but having the hind femora (singular femur) greatly enlarged. These enlarged femora allow for the springing action of these insects when disturbed. Flea beetles can also walk normally and fly. Many flea beetles are attractively coloured.
In adverse weather conditions (rain, for example) some flea beetles seek shelter in the soil. At least a few species (Phyllotreta cruciferae and P. striolata) prefer warm, dry weather.
Adult flea beetles feed externally on plants, eating small holes in leaf or stem surfaces. Under heavy feeding these holes may coalesce into larger areas of damage. Some larval flea beetles are root feeders (Phyllotreta spp.).
Flea beetles may be beneficial or may be pests, depending on the species. Many major agricultural crops are attacked by flea beetles, including various cruciferous plants such as mustard and rape (particularly canola in north western North America). Numerous garden plants are also subject to flea beetle feeding. Other flea beetle species are beneficial, feeding on undesirable plants. A few species have even been introduced to various locations as biological control agents against some weeds. One important example is in the control of leafy spurge, an invasive weed in the United States. Flea beetles of the genus Aphthona have been successfully introduced to control this plant.
[edit] Species of flea beetle
- Aphthona flava
- Disonycha spp.
- D. triangularis - three-spotted flea beetle
- D. xanthomelaena - spinach flea beetle
- Epitrix cucumeris - potato flea beetle
- Phyllotreta spp.
- P. cruciferae - crucifer flea beetle
- P. striolata - striped flea beetle
[edit] External links
- Flea beetle description at Kansas State
- The Handbook of Palearctic Flea Beetles - identification of Palearctic flea beetle genera, along with morphology, host plant information, and literature references
