Epitrix

Foudras, 1859

Hairy Flea Beetles

Species Guides

Epitrix brevis
Epitrix cucumeris(potato flea beetle)
Epitrix fasciata(banded epitrix)
Epitrix fuscula(eggplant flea beetle)
Epitrix hirtipennis(tobacco flea beetle)
Epitrix humeralis
Epitrix lobata
Epitrix pubescens
Epitrix subcrinita(Western Potato Flea Beetle)

Epitrix is a of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Alticini) containing 162 described with worldwide distribution across all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Many species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of Solanaceae crops including potato, tomato, eggplant, and tobacco. Several species have been inadvertently introduced between continents, establishing in new regions and becoming subjects of concern.

Epitrix by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Epitrix brevis by (c) Joshua Ebright, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Joshua Ebright. Used under a CC-BY license.

Epitrix brevis by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Epitrix: /ˈɛ.pɪ.trɪks/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar flea beetle by combination of morphological features including spermathecae and structures; specific identification of Holarctic requires examination of male genitalia. Visual sex determination possible in some species based on abdominal sternite .

Images

Habitat

Agricultural areas and natural vegetation supporting plants in Solanaceae ; associated with potato fields, tobacco plantations, and other cultivated solanaceous crops.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution excluding Australia and Antarctica; native to North America, Europe, and other regions with multiple introduced to new continents through human activity including Pacific islands, Atlantic islands, and between North America and Europe.

Diet

Feeding restricted to Solanaceae ; documented include potato (Solanum tuberosum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), and other solanaceous plants.

Life Cycle

Complete with , three larval instars, prepupal, and pupal stages. In Epitrix hirtipennis at 27°C: egg development approximately 4 days, larval stage 13 days, 3 days, pupa 5 days; total development from oviposition to approximately 24 days. Preoviposition period approximately 13 days. Adult longevity approximately 70 days with continuous oviposition until shortly before death.

Behavior

are flea beetles capable of jumping; females lay at rate of approximately 3.1 per day with mean total of 138.6 eggs per female.

Ecological Role

Herbivore and agricultural pest; some function as when introduced to new regions.

Human Relevance

Major agricultural pest causing damage to potato and other Solanaceae crops; subject to plant regulations and control efforts; several have developed resistance including resistance in Epitrix cucumeris.

Similar Taxa

Other Alticini generaMay be confused morphologically; distinguished by genitalia characteristics and associations

More Details

Invasion History

Multiple have established outside native ranges through inadvertent human transport: Epitrix hirtipennis from North America to Europe (including Hungary), Epitrix cucumeris and E. tuberis between North America and Europe, and various species to Atlantic and Pacific islands.