Flea beetle
2400122
226148935
2008-07-17T01:16:02Z
Dysmorodrepanis
303688
wikifairied
{{Taxobox
| name = Flea beetles
| image = Phyllotreta.vittula.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''[[Phyllotreta vittula]]'' with characteristic feeding damage to [[Brassicaceae]] leaf
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| subphylum = [[Hexapoda]]<!-- outcomment unnecessary taxa instead of deleting them. They may eventually be included again when the article grows longer. -->
| classis = [[Insect]]a
| subclassis = [[Pterygota]]
| infraclassis = [[Neoptera]]
| superordo = [[Endopterygota]]
| ordo = [[beetle|Coleoptera]]
| subordo = [[Polyphaga]]
| superfamilia = [[Chrysomeloidea]]
| familia = [[Chrysomelidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Galerucinae]]
| tribus = '''Alticini'''
| tribus_authority = Spinola, 1844{{check}}<!-- "Newman, 1835"? -->
| subdivision_ranks = [[Genera]]
| subdivision =
Many, see [[#Selected gener|text]]
}}
'''Flea beetles''' is a general name applied to the small, jumping [[beetle]]s of the [[leaf beetle]] [[family (biology)|family]] (Chrysomelidae). They make up the [[tribe (biology)|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==
[[Image:Altica.lythri.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Altica lythri]]''. Note thick hindleg femora.]]
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 [[arthropod leg|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 [[larva]]e (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 ''[[Phyllotreta striolata|P. striolata]]'') prefer warm, dry weather. The [[German (language)|German]] name ''Erdflöhe'' (literally "earth [[flea]]s") 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 [[Brassicaceae|cruciferous plants]] such as [[mustard plant|mustard]] and [[rapeseed|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 [[weed]]s and similar nuisance plants. A few species have even been introduced to various locations as [[biological control agent]]s against some weeds. One important example is in the control of [[Leafy Spurge]] (''Euphorbia esula''), an [[invasive species|invasive]] weed in the United States. It has a [[toxic]] [[latex]] and is generally avoided by [[herbivore]]s. Flea beetles of the genus ''[[Aphthona]]'' have been successfully introduced to control this plant.
==Selected genera==
This genus list is not complete. It is also partially from [[ITIS]] and might include genera placed elsewwhere in other sources.
[[Image:Apteropeda.orbiculata.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Apteropeda orbiculata]]'']]
[[Image:Argopistes coccinelliformis01.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Argopistes coccinelliformis]]'' amid feeding damage on ''[[Osmanthus]] × fortunei'']]
[[Image:Crepidodera.aurata cropped.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Crepidodera aurata]]'']]
[[Image:Podagrica.fuscicornis.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Podagrica fuscicornis]]'']]
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* ''[[Acallepitrix]]'' <small>J.Bechyné, 1956</small>
* ''[[Acrocyum]]'' <small>Jacoby, 1885</small>
* ''[[Afroaltica]]''
* ''[[Agasicles (beetle)|Agasicles]]'' <small>Jacoby, 1904</small>
* ''[[Altica]]'' <small>Geoffroy, 1762</small>
* ''[[Anthobiodes]]''
* ''[[Aphthona]]''
* ''[[Apteropeda]]''
* ''[[Argopistes]]'' <small>Motschulsky, 1860</small>
* ''[[Argopus]]''
* ''[[Arrhenocoela]]''
* ''[[Asiorestia]]''
* ''[[Asphaera]]'' <small>Duponchel & Chevrolat, 1842</small>
* ''[[Batophila]]''
* ''[[Blepharida]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Capraita]]'' <small>J.Bechyné, 1957</small>
* ''[[Cerataltica]]'' <small>Crotch, 1873</small>
* ''[[Chaetocnema]]'' <small>Stephens, 1831</small>
* ''[[Crepidodera]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Derocrepis]]'' <small>Weise, 1886</small>
* ''[[Dibolia]]'' <small>Latreille, 1829</small>
* ''[[Disonycha]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Distigmoptera]]'' <small>Blake, 1943</small>
* ''[[Dysphenges]]'' <small>Horn, 1894</small>
* ''[[Epitrix]]'' <small>Foudras in Mulsant, 1859</small>
* ''[[Glenidion]]'' <small>H.Clark, 1860</small>
* ''[[Glyptina]]'' <small>J.L.LeConte, 1859</small>
* ''[[Hemiglyptus]]'' <small>Horn, 1889</small>
* ''[[Hemiphrynus]]'' <small>Horn, 1889</small>
* ''[[Hermaeophaga]]''
* ''[[Heyrovskya]]''
* ''[[Hippuriphila]]'' <small>Foudras in Mulsant, 1859</small>
* ''[[Hornaltica]]'' <small>Barber, 1941</small>
* ''[[Kashmirobia]]''
* ''[[Kuschelina]]'' <small>J.Bechyné, 1951</small>
{{col-2-of-2}}
* ''[[Lanka (beetle)|Lanka]]''<!-- Zootaxa 1681: 1 -->
* ''[[Longitarsus]]'' <small>Berthold, 1827</small><!-- Zootaxa 1681: 1 -->
* ''[[Luperaltica]]'' <small>Crotch, 1873</small>
* ''[[Luprea]]'' <small>Jacoby, 1885</small>
* ''[[Lysathia]]'' <small>J.Bechyné, 1957</small>
* ''[[Lythraria]]''
* ''[[Mantura]]'' <small>Stephens, 1831</small>
* ''[[Margaridisa]]'' <small>J.Bechyné, 1958</small>
* ''[[Minota]]''
* ''[[Mniophila]]''
* ''[[Mniophilosoma]]''
* ''[[Monomacra]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Neocrepidodera]]'' <small>Heikertinger, 1911</small>
* ''[[Nesaecrepida]]'' <small>Blake, 1964</small>
* ''[[Ochrosis]]''
* ''[[Oedionychus]]''
* ''[[Omophoita]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Orestia (beetle)|Orestia]]''
* ''[[Orthaltica]]'' <small>Crotch, 1873</small>
* ''[[Pachyonychis]]'' <small>H.Clark, 1860</small>
* ''[[Pachyonychus]]'' <small>F.E.Melsheimer, 1847</small>
* ''[[Parchicola]]'' <small>J.Bechyné and B.Springlová de Bechyné, 1975</small>
* ''[[Phydanis]]'' <small>Horn, 1889</small>
* ''[[Phyllotreta]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Podagrica]]''
* ''[[Pseudodibolia]]'' <small>Jacoby, 1891</small>
* ''[[Pseudolampis]]'' <small>Horn, 1889</small>
* ''[[Pseudorthygia]]'' <small>Csiki in Heikertinger and Csiki, 1940</small>
* ''[[Psylliodes]]'' <small>Berthold, 1827</small>
* ''[[Sphareoderma]]''
* ''[[Strabala]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Syphrea]]'' <small>Baly, 1876</small>
* ''[[Systena]]'' <small>Chevrolat in Dejean, 1836</small>
* ''[[Trichaltica]]'' <small>Harold, 1876</small>
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==External links==
{{commonscat|Alticini}}
*[http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/extensn/problems/fleabeet.htm Flea beetle description at Kansas State]
*[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
[[Category:Chrysomelidae]]
[[de:Flohkäfer]]
[[fr:Alticinae]]
[[pt:Besouro-saltador]]
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[[uk:Блішки земляні]]