Flea beetle

Taxobox
name = Flea beetles

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Phyllotreta vittula" with characteristic feeding damage to Brassicaceae leaf
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Hexapoda
classis = Insecta
subclassis = Pterygota
infraclassis = Neoptera
superordo = Endopterygota
ordo = Coleoptera
subordo = Polyphaga
superfamilia = Chrysomeloidea
familia = Chrysomelidae
subfamilia = Galerucinae
tribus = Alticini
tribus_authority = Spinola, 1844Verify source|date=July 2008
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision = Many, see text

Flea beetles is a general name applied to the small, jumping beetles of the leaf beetle family (Chrysomelidae). They make up the tribe Alticini, which is a part of the subfamily Galerucinae, though they were historically classified as a subfamily in their own right. Though most tribes of the Galerucinae are suspect of rampant paraphyly in the present delimitation, the Alticini seem to form a good clade at least for the most part.

Description and ecology

The adults are very small to moderately sized Chrysomelidae (i.e. among beetles in general they are on the smallish side). They are simiar to other leaf beetles, but characteristically have the hindleg femora greatly enlarged. These enlarged femora allow for the springing action of these insects when disturbed. Flea beetles can also walk normally and fly. Many flea beetles are attractively coloured; dark, shiny and often metallic colors predominate.

Adult flea beetles feed externally on plants, eating the surface of the leaves, stems and petals. Under heavy feeding these holes may coalesce into larger areas of damage. Some flea beetle larvae (e.g. of "Phyllotreta" species) are root feeders.

In adverse weather conditions (rain, for example) some flea beetles seek shelter in the soil. At least a few species ("Phyllotreta cruciferae" and "P. striolata") prefer warm, dry weather. The German name "Erdflöhe" (literally "earth fleas") refers to their jumping ability and this behavior of hiding in the soil.

Relationship with humans

Flea beetles may be beneficial or may be pests, depending on the species. Many major agricultural crops are attacked by flea beetles, including various cruciferous plants such as mustard and rape (particularly canola in north western North America). Numerous garden plants are also subject to flea beetle feeding, such as flowers of "Gardenia" and "Rothmannia" by "Altica" secies.

Other flea beetle species are beneficial, feeding on weeds and similar nuisance plants. A few species have even been introduced to various locations as biological control agents against some weeds. One important example is in the control of Leafy Spurge ("Euphorbia esula"), an invasive weed in the United States. It has a toxic latex and is generally avoided by herbivores. Flea beetles of the genus "Aphthona" have been successfully introduced to control this plant.

elected genera

This genus list is not complete. It is also partially from ITIS and might include genera placed elsewwhere in other sources.

* "Acallepitrix" J.Bechyné, 1956
* "Acrocyum" Jacoby, 1885
* "Afroaltica"
* "Agasicles" Jacoby, 1904
* "Altica" Geoffroy, 1762
* "Anthobiodes"
* "Aphthona"
* "Apteropeda"
* "Argopistes" Motschulsky, 1860
* "Argopus"
* "Arrhenocoela"
* "Asiorestia"
* "Asphaera" Duponchel & Chevrolat, 1842
* "Batophila"
* "Blepharida" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Capraita" J.Bechyné, 1957
* "Cerataltica" Crotch, 1873
* "Chaetocnema" Stephens, 1831
* "Crepidodera" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Derocrepis" Weise, 1886
* "Dibolia" Latreille, 1829
* "Disonycha" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Distigmoptera" Blake, 1943
* "Dysphenges" Horn, 1894
* "Epitrix" Foudras in Mulsant, 1859
* "Glenidion" H.Clark, 1860
* "Glyptina" J.L.LeConte, 1859
* "Hemiglyptus" Horn, 1889
* "Hemiphrynus" Horn, 1889
* "Hermaeophaga"
* "Heyrovskya"
* "Hippuriphila" Foudras in Mulsant, 1859
* "Hornaltica" Barber, 1941
* "Kashmirobia"
* "Kuschelina" J.Bechyné, 1951
* "Lanka"
* "Longitarsus" Berthold, 1827
* "Luperaltica" Crotch, 1873
* "Luprea" Jacoby, 1885
* "Lysathia" J.Bechyné, 1957
* "Lythraria"
* "Mantura" Stephens, 1831
* "Margaridisa" J.Bechyné, 1958
* "Minota"
* "Mniophila"
* "Mniophilosoma"
* "Monomacra" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Neocrepidodera" Heikertinger, 1911
* "Nesaecrepida" Blake, 1964
* "Ochrosis"
* "Oedionychus"
* "Omophoita" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Orestia"
* "Orthaltica" Crotch, 1873
* "Pachyonychis" H.Clark, 1860
* "Pachyonychus" F.E.Melsheimer, 1847
* "Parchicola" J.Bechyné and B.Springlová de Bechyné, 1975
* "Phydanis" Horn, 1889
* "Phyllotreta" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Podagrica"
* "Pseudodibolia" Jacoby, 1891
* "Pseudolampis" Horn, 1889
* "Pseudorthygia" Csiki in Heikertinger and Csiki, 1940
* "Psylliodes" Berthold, 1827
* "Sphareoderma"
* "Strabala" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Syphrea" Baly, 1876
* "Systena" Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836
* "Trichaltica" Harold, 1876

External links

* [http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn/problems/fleabeet.htm Flea beetle description at Kansas State]
* [http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/entml2/MF2832.pdf Flea Beetles, Kansas State University, July 2008] ]
* [http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/coleoptera/fleabeetles/fleas.htm The Handbook of Palearctic Flea Beetles] - identification of Palearctic flea beetle genera, along with morphology, host plant information, and literature references
* [http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05592.html "Flea Beetles"] by W.S. Cranshaw, Colorado State University Extension entomologist and professor