Boraginaceae-specialist
Guides
Longitarsus quadriguttatus
flea beetle
Longitarsus quadriguttatus is a flea beetle (Chrysomelidae) native to Central and south-eastern Europe, Asia Minor, and the Caucasus. It has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for hound's tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), an invasive weed. Adults feed on leaves while larvae develop as root-feeders inside host plant roots. The species shows strong host specificity for plants in the family Boraginaceae, particularly the tribe Cynoglosseae.