Flea-beetles
Guides
Altica
Metallic Flea Beetles
Altica is a large genus of flea beetles comprising approximately 300 species distributed nearly worldwide. The genus name derives from Greek 'haltikós' meaning 'jumper,' referring to the adult beetles' ability to jump when disturbed. Species are small, metallic blue-green to bronze beetles that are morphologically similar and often distinguished only by male genitalia. Both larvae and adults are phytophagous, with most species showing strong host plant specificity. The genus is best represented in the Neotropical realm, with significant diversity in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions.
Argopistes
Olive Flea Beetles
Argopistes is a genus of approximately 50 described species of flea beetles in the tribe Alticini. The genus is notable as the only group of flea beetles specialized for feeding on plants in the family Oleaceae. Species occur worldwide, with documented populations in Asia, Africa, Madagascar, Japan, Taiwan, and North America. Several species are economically significant as pests of olive trees or as biological control agents for invasive privet.
Crepidodera
Studded Flea Beetles
Crepidodera is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, comprising approximately 40 described species worldwide. Members are commonly known as Studded Flea Beetles. They belong to the tribe Alticini and possess the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles, enabling their distinctive jumping behavior. The genus occurs across the Holarctic region, with species documented in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Dysphenges
Dysphenges is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) established by Horn in 1894. The genus comprises four described species distributed in North America and Central America. Three species were described by Gilbert and Riley in 2002: D. penrosei, D. rileyi, and D. secretus. As members of the Alticini tribe, these beetles possess the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles, enabling their distinctive jumping locomotion.
Hemiphrynus
Hemiphrynus is a genus of flea beetles (family Chrysomelidae) comprising 8 described species distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus was established by Horn in 1889. Species within this genus exhibit the characteristic enlarged hind femora that enable flea beetles to jump when disturbed.
Kuschelina
Kuschelina is a genus of flea beetles (family Chrysomelidae) established by J. Bechyné in 1951. The genus comprises approximately 20–30 described species distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. These beetles are part of the diverse flea beetle lineage, characterized by their enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Longitarsus
flea beetles
Longitarsus is the largest genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae), comprising over 700 species with a cosmopolitan distribution. Species exhibit diverse ecological strategies, including subaquatic lifestyles with pupation inside hydrophyte stems, and terrestrial herbivory on various plant families. Many species show wing polymorphism, with populations containing fully winged, reduced-winged, or vestigial-winged individuals. Host plant associations are generally phylogenetically conserved at the clade level, though Boraginaceae-associated species represent an exception.
Neolochmaea
Neolochmaea is a genus of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Laboissière in 1939. The genus contains three described species: N. brevicornis, N. guerini, and N. obliterata. These beetles are restricted to the Neotropical region. The genus belongs to the tribe Alticini, commonly known as flea beetles, though specific behavioral traits of this genus remain poorly documented.
Paranapiacaba
Paranapiacaba is a genus of skeletonizing leaf beetles and flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. The genus contains at least two described species. The name is derived from Tupi-Guarani, meaning 'where you will find the sea' or 'a place to view the sea,' and is also the name of a historic railway town and forested mountain region in southeastern Brazil.
Parchicola
Parchicola is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae) containing at least four described species. These small beetles are distributed across North America and the Neotropical region. The genus was established by Bechyné and Springlová de Bechyné in 1975.
Phyllotreta
flea beetles
Phyllotreta is a cosmopolitan genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Alticini) comprising at least 300 described species worldwide. Species are almost exclusively associated with host plants in Brassicaceae and related families in the order Brassicales, with 18% of species feeding on multiple families within this order. Many species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of crucifer crops including canola, cabbage, and turnip. The genus has independently colonised Brassicaceae and exhibits adaptations to the characteristic chemical defences (glucosinolates) of these host plants.
Pseudodibolia
Pseudodibolia is a genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Jacoby in 1891. The genus contains four described species distributed across North America and the Neotropics. Two species, P. opima and P. picea, are documented in taxonomic literature. As with other flea beetles, members of this genus possess enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Pseudorthygia
Pseudorthygia is a genus of flea beetles (family Chrysomelidae) containing two described species, both found in Mexico. The genus was established by Csiki in 1940. Both species were originally described by Jacoby in 1891 and later transferred to this genus.
Tricholochmaea
Tricholochmaea is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, comprising 21 described species and two subspecies. Members are known as skeletonizing leaf beetles and flea beetles, feeding on plant foliage in a characteristic pattern that leaves leaf veins intact. The genus includes several species associated with specific host plants, such as the cherry leaf beetle (T. cavicollis), Pacific willow leaf beetle (T. decora), and blueberry leaf beetle (T. vaccinii). Taxonomic treatment varies, with some authors treating Tricholochmaea as a synonym of Pyrrhalta.
Walterianella
Walterianella is a genus of flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) in the subtribe Oedionychina. The genus contains more than 40 described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Recent taxonomic revisions have transferred several species from related genera into Walterianella, establishing new combinations. Larval stages have been described for at least one species, Walterianella bucki.