Phylogenetic-conservatism
Guides
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.