Longitarsus ferrugineus

(Foudras, 1860)

Longitarsus ferrugineus is a small black flea beetle in the Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae. It belongs to a large of leaf beetles characterized by their enlarged hind adapted for jumping. The has a broad distribution across much of Europe, with records from Great Britain through Central Europe to Italy and the Baltic states.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Longitarsus ferrugineus: //ˌlɔndʒɪˈtɑrsəs ˌfɛrəˈdʒɪniəs//

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

Identification

The can be distinguished from other European Longitarsus by its entirely black coloration and specific geographic distribution pattern. Accurate identification to species level within Longitarsus typically requires examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters. The combination of black coloration with presence in the documented European range helps narrow identification possibilities.

Appearance

are uniformly black in coloration. Like other members of the Longitarsus, they possess characteristically enlarged hind with thickened hind legs adapted for saltatorial (jumping) locomotion. The body is small and compact, typical of flea beetles. Detailed morphological descriptions of specific diagnostic features are not readily available in the accessible literature.

Habitat

Specific preferences are not well documented. Most Longitarsus are associated with herbaceous vegetation, and many are oligophagous or monophagous on particular plant . The species has been recorded in a variety of European terrestrial habitats including open grasslands, forest edges, and anthropogenic environments.

Distribution

Documented from Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg (Benelux), Croatia, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Germany, Italy (including Sardinia), Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Northern Europe. Not recorded from Finland, Norway, Portugal, or Russia. GBIF indicates presence in Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America, though the North American records may represent introductions or data errors requiring verification.

Seasonality

activity period not specifically documented. Most temperate European flea beetles are active from spring through autumn, with peak activity typically in summer months.

Behavior

As with other flea beetles, likely use their enlarged hind legs for jumping escape responses when disturbed. Specific behavioral observations for this have not been published.

Similar Taxa

Other Longitarsus speciesMany European Longitarsus are small, dark, and superficially similar. L. ferrugineus is distinguished by its uniformly black coloration and specific male genitalia structure, though detailed comparison requires examination.
Other flea beetles (Alticini)Members of the tribe Alticini share the enlarged hind characteristic, but Longitarsus typically have more slender body proportions and different antennal structure.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The authority is sometimes cited as Foudras, 1859 and sometimes as Foudras, 1860 in different sources. The basionym Teinodactyla ferrugineus reflects the historical placement in a now-synonymized .

Data quality

Available information for this is limited primarily to distribution records. Biological and ecological data are sparse, reflecting the species' small size and lack of economic importance rather than genuine rarity.