Flea-beetle
Guides
Acallepitrix
flea beetles
Acallepitrix is a genus of flea beetles (subfamily Alticinae) in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, established by J. Bechyné in 1956. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed across the Neotropics, Central America, and North America. At least one undescribed species has been studied as a candidate biological control agent for invasive Solanum weeds.
Acallepitrix nitens
Acallepitrix nitens is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Horn in 1889. The species is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small leaf beetles known for their jumping ability, enabled by enlarged hind femora. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Agasicles hygrophila
Alligatorweed Flea Beetle, Alligator Weed Flea Beetle
Agasicles hygrophila is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to South America and widely introduced as a classical biological control agent for the invasive aquatic weed Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed). It was the first insect studied for biological control of an aquatic weed. The beetle exhibits strict monophagy, feeding and reproducing exclusively on alligator weed. Both larvae and adults feed on leaves, causing defoliation that can kill dense weed mats and clear infested waterways. The species has been established in at least 30 countries including the United States, New Zealand, China, and Australia.
Altica ambiens
Alder Flea Beetle
Altica ambiens, commonly known as the alder flea beetle, is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. Two subspecies are recognized: Altica ambiens alni and the nominate Altica ambiens ambiens.
Altica bimarginata
willow flea beetle
Altica bimarginata is a small, shiny blue flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the willow flea beetle. It measures 5–6 mm in length and 2–3 mm in width. The species is distributed across North America and Central America and is frequently associated with willow plants (Salix genus). Three subspecies are recognized: A. b. bimarginata, A. b. labradorensis, and A. b. plicipennis. A neotype was designated for this species due to the loss of the original type specimen.
Altica chalybea
Grape Flea Beetle, Grape Steely Beetle
Altica chalybea, commonly known as the grape flea beetle or grape steely beetle, is a North American leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is recognized by its small bluish-green metallic coloration and reflective appearance. It is a documented pest of cultivated grape vines, where adults feed on buds and cause measurable reduction in vegetative growth. The species is distributed across North America and the Caribbean.
Altica foliaceae
apple flea beetle
Altica foliaceae is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with records extending into Canada (Manitoba). The common name 'apple flea beetle' suggests association with apple or related host plants, though specific ecological details are limited in available sources.
Altica guatemalensis
Altica guatemalensis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is one of many species in the large and diverse genus Altica, which is distributed across much of North and Central America. The genus is known for species associated with various host plants, though specific host relationships for A. guatemalensis remain poorly documented. Like other flea beetles, adults possess enlarged hind femora that enable their characteristic jumping escape response.
Altica ignita
strawberry flea beetle
Altica ignita, commonly known as the strawberry flea beetle, is a flea beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in North America. As a member of the genus Altica, it shares the characteristic enlarged hind femora that enable flea beetles to jump when disturbed. The common name suggests an association with strawberry plants, though specific host relationships require confirmation.
Altica obliterata
Altica obliterata is a flea beetle (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Galerucinae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. Like other members of the genus Altica, adults possess enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping, a characteristic trait of the tribe Alticini. The species occurs in North and Middle America, though specific details regarding its host plants, habitat preferences, and life history remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Altica pedipallida
Altica pedipallida is a flea beetle in the tribe Alticini described by LeSage in 2008. The species is known from eastern Canada (Ontario and Québec) and has been documented with a larval host association with Oenothera pilosella (Onagraceae), representing the first recorded host plant for this species. Like other members of the genus Altica, adults likely feed on foliage of host plants.
Altica prasina
Altica prasina is a flea beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1857. The specific epithet "prasina" derives from Latin, meaning leek-green, likely referencing its coloration. As a member of the genus Altica, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles, enabling jumping locomotion. The species occurs in North America, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Altica probata
Altica probata is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Fall in 1910. It is a member of the large and diverse genus Altica, which contains numerous species associated with various host plants. The species is recorded from western North America, including British Columbia in Canada. Like other Altica species, adults are likely small, metallic, and capable of jumping when disturbed.
Altica texana
Altica texana is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1906. It belongs to the genus Altica, a large group of small, jumping leaf beetles commonly known as flea beetles due to their enlarged hind femora that enable them to leap when disturbed. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Altica torquata
steel-blue grapevine flea beetle, Purple-collared Flea Beetle
Altica torquata is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is commonly known as the steel-blue grapevine flea beetle or the purple-collared flea beetle. The species has been recorded from Central America, North America, and Oceania. As a member of the genus Altica, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles that enable their distinctive jumping ability.
Altica woodsi
Altica woodsi is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Isely in 1920. It is native to North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. The species is a specialist herbivore associated with woody vines in the grape family, feeding on riverbank grape (Vitis riparia) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).
Aphthona
Spurge Flea Beetles
Aphthona is a genus of flea beetles in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, native to Europe and Asia with approximately 135 species in the Palaearctic region and some 300 species worldwide. Members possess enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping, a characteristic trait of the tribe Alticini. The genus has gained significant attention for biological control applications, with several species introduced to North America to manage leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), a major invasive weed. Six species—A. abdominalis, A. cyparissiae, A. czwalinae, A. flava, A. nigriscutis, and A. lacertosa—have been used for this purpose, though establishment success varies. Some African species have been identified as pests of Jatropha curcas in biodiesel plantations.
Aphthona czwalinai
Aphthona czwalinai is a flea beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Alticinae. It belongs to a genus containing species used for biological control of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). The species is native to Eurasia and has been introduced to North America as part of classical biological control programs. Like other Aphthona species, it is a root-feeding specialist on Euphorbia plants.
Aphthona flava
Copper Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle
Aphthona flava is a flea beetle native to Eurasia, introduced to North America as a biological control agent for leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). Adults are small, brown, and morphologically cryptic, closely resembling congeners A. cyparissiae and A. nigriscutis. The species has established populations in Manitoba, Canada, where it remains dominant at some release sites, though it is relatively scarce in North Dakota and Minnesota. Native populations occur across Hungary and Italy.
Aphthona lacertosa
Brown-legged Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle
Aphthona lacertosa is a root-feeding flea beetle native to Eurasia, introduced to North America as a biological control agent for leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). It was first released in 1990 and more widely in 1997, specifically targeting wet habitats where herbicide use is restricted. The species has established populations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Adults are black and morphologically indistinguishable from A. czwalinae in field settings; larvae are the primary damaging stage.
Aphthona nigriscutis
Black Dot Leafy Spurge Flea Beetle
Aphthona nigriscutis is a root-feeding flea beetle introduced to North America as a classical biological control agent for leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). Native to Europe, it has established populations across the northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States and Canada. It is considered one of the most effective biocontrol agents for this invasive plant, with larvae causing the majority of damage through root feeding.
Aulacothorax copalina
Copal Flea Beetle
Aulacothorax copalina, commonly known as the Copal Flea Beetle, is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was formerly classified under the genus Orthaltica but has been reassigned to Aulacothorax based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. It is endemic to North America and has been documented in 131 iNaturalist observations.
Blepharida
Blepharida is a genus of flea beetles in the subfamily Galerucinae, tribe Alticini, comprising approximately 73 described species. The genus is notable for its specialized coevolutionary relationship with plants in the genus Bursera. New World and Afrotropical species form distinct clades, and the supraspecific taxonomy has undergone extensive revision with multiple subgenera and related genera proposed and reorganized over the past century.
Blepharida rhois
Sumac Flea Beetle
Blepharida rhois, the sumac flea beetle, is a North American flea beetle notable for its specialized diet on Rhus (sumac) plants and distinctive larval defense mechanism. Adults possess enlarged metafemora enabling catapult jumps to escape predators. Larvae construct fecal shields containing plant-derived defensive compounds. This species represents an outlying distribution within its genus, which is otherwise tropical.
Capraita
Capraita is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by J. Bechyné in 1957. Species in this genus occur primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus comprises approximately 16–60 described species, with estimates varying across sources. Like other flea beetles, members of this genus possess enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Capraita circumdata
Capraita circumdata is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is endemic to North America, with confirmed records from Ontario, Québec, and other parts of Canada and the United States. The species belongs to a genus of leaf-feeding beetles that typically specialize on particular host plants.
Capraita flavida
Capraita flavida is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Alticinae. The species was originally described by Horn in 1889 as Stenopodius flavidus and later transferred to the genus Capraita. It occurs in North America and Middle America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Capraita nigrosignata
Germander Flea Beetle
Capraita nigrosignata is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is commonly known as the germander flea beetle. The species is distributed across North America and Central America. Its specific association with germander (Teucrium) as a host plant is reflected in its common name.
Capraita pervittata
Capraita pervittata is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Blake in 1927. The species is known from North America. Like other flea beetles, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. Available information about this species is extremely limited.
Capraita quercata
Capraita quercata is a flea beetle (Chrysomelidae: Alticini) native to North America. The species epithet "quercata" indicates an association with oak (Quercus). As a member of the Alticini tribe, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. Observation records are sparse, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Capraita scalaris
Capraita scalaris is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Québec) and the United States. As a member of the tribe Alticini, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The species is relatively poorly documented in the scientific literature compared to other flea beetles.
Capraita subvittata
Belly-banded Flea Beetle
Capraita subvittata, commonly known as the Belly-banded Flea Beetle, is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with documented records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick) and the United States. As a member of the flea beetle tribe Alticini, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Capraita suturalis
Capraita suturalis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is a small beetle with jumping hind legs characteristic of flea beetles. The species has been documented in North America with 65 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is not uncommon but not particularly well-studied. Like other flea beetles, it likely feeds on plant material, though specific host associations have not been established in available sources.
Capraita texana
Capraita texana is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Crotch in 1873. The species is recorded from North America, with observational data available from citizen science platforms. As a member of the flea beetle tribe Alticini, it likely possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of the group, though specific morphological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Chaetocnema
flea beetles
Chaetocnema is a large genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, comprising approximately 470 described species worldwide. Members are small, jumping leaf beetles that feed on plant foliage. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, including the corn flea beetle (C. pulicaria), which vectors Stewart's wilt disease in corn, and C. confinis, which attacks sweet potatoes. The genus exhibits broad geographic distribution across multiple continents with diverse host plant associations.
Chaetocnema aequabilis
Chaetocnema aequabilis is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by R. White in 1996 as part of his revision of the genus Chaetocnema in North America. As a member of the tribe Alticini, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The species is one of approximately 30 Chaetocnema species recorded from North America north of Mexico.
Chaetocnema concinna
brassy flea beetle, hop flea beetle, beet flea beetle, brassy-toothed flea beetle
Chaetocnema concinna is a small flea beetle native to Europe and northern Asia that has been introduced to North America, first documented in Canada in the late 1980s. In Europe, it is the most important pest of sugar beet, though its economic impact in North America remains unquantified. The species exhibits broad host plant associations and can function as either a pest or beneficial organism depending on context.
Chaetocnema confinis
sweetpotato flea beetle
Chaetocnema confinis is a small flea beetle (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) with a cosmopolitan distribution spanning Africa, the Caribbean, Central and North America, South America, Oceania, and Southern Asia. It is a significant agricultural pest of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas), with adults feeding on foliage and larvae developing in soil to feed on tuberous roots. Larval feeding causes distinctive linear epidermal damage to storage roots, creating economic losses in commercial production. The species has been studied intensively in Japan, where seasonal damage patterns have been documented.
Chaetocnema densa
Chaetocnema densa is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by R. White in 1996. The species belongs to the genus Chaetocnema, which comprises small leaf beetles known for their jumping ability. Very little specific information is available about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description and North American distribution. Like other members of the genus, it likely feeds on plant foliage, though host associations have not been documented.
Chaetocnema ectypa
Desert Corn Flea Beetle
Chaetocnema ectypa, commonly known as the desert corn flea beetle, is a small flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded from the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The species belongs to a genus containing several economically important agricultural pests, though specific information about this species' biology and ecology remains limited in available sources.
Chaetocnema fuscata
Chaetocnema fuscata is a flea beetle (subfamily Alticinae) in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. It was described by R. White in 1996 as part of his revision of the genus Chaetocnema in North America. The species is known from North America, with records from Ontario, Canada. Like other members of the genus, it is among the smallest flea beetles, with adults typically measuring 1–2 mm in length. The genus Chaetocnema includes several species associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information for C. fuscata specifically remains limited.
Chaetocnema gentneri
Chaetocnema gentneri is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Csiki in 1940. The genus Chaetocnema contains numerous small leaf-feeding beetles, many of which are associated with specific host plants. Several congeners, such as C. quadricollis and C. pulicaria, are economically significant agricultural pests.
Chaetocnema hortensis
Chaetocnema hortensis is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Alticinae. The species measures 1.5 to 2.3 mm in length and exhibits metallic coloration ranging from bronze or coppery to sometimes green. It is widespread across the Palearctic region, including Europe and eastward to the Amur region. The species has been recorded as a pest of crops.
Chaetocnema irregularis
Chaetocnema irregularis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with documented records from western Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Like other members of the genus Chaetocnema, it belongs to the subfamily Alticinae and possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles that enable jumping locomotion.
Chaetocnema minuta
Chaetocnema minuta is a Nearctic flea beetle in the subfamily Alticinae. Historically associated with grasses, it has been recently documented causing economic damage to turfgrass in the southwestern United States, including perennial ryegrass and hybrid bermudagrass. The species is among the smallest flea beetles in North America, with adults measuring approximately 1–1.6 mm in length.
Chaetocnema opulenta
Opulent Flea Beetle
Chaetocnema opulenta is a small flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Horn in 1889. It is found in North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. As a member of the Alticini tribe, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles, enabling jumping locomotion.
Chaetocnema protensa
Chaetocnema protensa is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by LeConte in 1878. It is native to North America with documented occurrences in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba) and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Alticinae, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles that enable jumping locomotion. Published information on its biology and ecology remains limited.
Chaetocnema quadricollis
hibiscus flea beetle
Chaetocnema quadricollis is a minute flea beetle in the subfamily Galerucinae, tribe Alticini. Originally described from Florida in 1878, it occurs across North America and has been documented from numerous localities in Missouri. The species is strongly associated with Hibiscus species, particularly Hibiscus lasiocarpus (rose mallow), on which adults feed gregariously on foliage. It was previously recorded under the synonym C. decipiens in Missouri state records.
Chaetocnema rileyi
Boca Chica flea beetle
Chaetocnema rileyi, known as the Boca Chica flea beetle, is a rare flea beetle species endemic to a single dune system at Boca Chica Beach in Texas. Adults inhabit sedge stems in beachside dunes, while larvae live underground feeding on root portions of host plants. The species faces conservation threats from nearby SpaceX rocket launch activities, which may kill beetles through thermal exposure from engine plumes or damage dune vegetation through debris impacts.
Chaetocnema subviridis
Chaetocnema subviridis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States. As a member of the tribe Alticini, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles that enable their jumping locomotion.