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common name: flea beetles of the genus Altica
scientific name: Altica spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Introduction - Distribution - Description - Biology - Host Plants - Management - Selected References

Introduction (Back to Top)

Flea beetles are in the largest subfamily (Alticinae) of the family Chrysomelidae, or leaf beetles (Furth 1988). The name Altica is derived from the Greek word haltikos which translates to good jumper. Although this group of insects are named flea beetles, this is not because the form of the body resembles fleas, but rather because they have strong hind legs allowing them to jump long distances like true fleas (Siphonaptera). Their great jumping skills are thought to have evolved as a mechanism to escape from predators.

An Altica sp. flea beetle feeding on Cuphea hyssopifolia (false heather) in Gainesville, Florida

Figure 1. An Altica sp. flea beetle feeding on Cuphea hyssopifolia (false heather) in Gainesville, Florida. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

In the southeastern U.S.A, Altica flea beetles can be found in many different habitats depending on the species and its host plant, in landscapes or nurseries Altica litigata Fall can be found damaging crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia spp. (Lythraceae) (Jenkins et al. 2009, Renkema et al. 2014). Other common flea beetle species of this genus found in the southeastern U.S.A. of economic importance are Altica torquata LeConte, which is commonly found on grapevines (Vitis spp.) (Vitaceae), and Altica sylvia Malloch, which is found on blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) (Ericaceae). Although these species may become pests because they feed on economically important plants, some flea beetles in this genus may be considered beneficial because of their significant use for bio-control of weeds (Wan and Harris 1997). Damage to vegetation, and life history patterns of common flea beetles, are very similar among Altica species with the major differences being host plant preference and control recommendations.

Distribution (Back to Top)

Altica spp. have a worldwide distribution (Kostantinov and Vandenberg 1996). There have been 72 species in the genus Altica reported in America north of Mexico alone (Riley et al. 2003). Some of the more commonly encountered species and their host plants, in addition to the aforementioned species, are:

Altica chalybea Illiger, grapes
Altica corni Woods, dogwood 
Altica foliaceae LeConte, apple 
Altica ignita Illiger, strawberry 
Altica litigata Fall, crape myrtle 
Altica sylvia Malloch, blueberry

 

Description (Back to Top)

Most Altica flea beetles have hard outer wings called elytra that are metallic blue to green in color that protect similarly colored metallic bodies that reflect purple and bronze colors, and elongate oval in shape (Pettis and Braman 2007, LeSage 1995).  Altica flea beetles are generally indistinguishable based on external morphological differences, so to ensure the correct identification of an Altica sp. beetle, molecular analysis of DNA markers is the most reliable way to determine the exact species of Altica (Ruhl et al. 2010), although examination of internal genitalia or identification based on host plant association is sometimes used.

The hind legs of the flea beetle are enlarged (Pettis and Braman 2007). Altica flea beetles are between 3-9 mm, and females are typically larger than males (LeSage 2000). All Altica spp. have round eyes (LeSage 1995). Altica flea beetle antennae have 11 segments and are filiform (thread-like) in shape (Kostantinov and Vandenberg 1996). The biology of less than 10% of Altica flea beetle species in North America is documented, with research focusing only on the most economically important species (LeSage 1995). Here we discuss mostly Altica litigata because its biology has been studied.

 

Biology (Back to Top)

Eggs: Altica litigata eggs are oval and 1 to 2 mm in length. Eggs are laid on the upper and lower surface of the leaves in clutches of one to 15 (LeSage 1995) (Figure 2).

Hatched eggs of an Altica sp. flea beetle on the underside of an elm leaf in Gainesville, Florida

Figure 2. Hatched eggs of an Altica sp. flea beetle on the underside of an elm leaf in Gainesville, Florida. Leaf shows feeding damage from flea beetle larvae. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Larvae: The larvae emerge 5 to 8 days after oviposition (egg laying) (Konstantinov and Vandenberg 1996). The larvae hatch and feed on the leaves of their host plants. The larvae appear dark brown to black, and average 5.2 mm (0.2 inches) in length. The larvae have 10 body segments, with three pairs of small legs near the head (Lee and Shim 2003). The larvae experience three larval instars, or immature life stages (LeSage 1995). Smaller larvae can be found on the undersides of leaves, and larger larvae can be found consuming leaves and limbs of host plants (LeSage 1995). Many Altica species are gregarious, or found in clusters, when feeding (LeSage 1995) (Figure 3). Eventually, the larvae move down from their host plant onto the ground to pupate in the soil or leaf litter (Pettis et al. 2004).

Larvae of Altica sp. feeding on the underside of an elm leaf

Figure 3. Larvae of Altica sp. feeding on the underside of an elm leaf. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

Pupae: Pupal cases are formed using mucus produced in the maxillary glands. Pupation generally occurs in the top 1 to 2 cm of the soil. Overwintering occurs in this stage (LeSage 1995).

Adults: Adult flea beetles emerge from their pupal cases in the spring and feed on the foliage of their host plant (Lee and Shim 2003) (Figure 4). Males are usually smaller than females (LeSage 1995). The flea beetles may produce one to three generations a year, depending on location (Chappell et al. 2012). In more northern latitudes, there is typically one generation of Altica per year, but in the southern U.S.A. there can be two to three generations per year (LeSage 1995).

Adult Altica sp. feeding on an elm leaf in Gainesville, Florida

Figure 4. Adult Altica sp. feeding on an elm leaf in Gainesville, Florida. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida.

 

Host Plants (Back to Top)

Altica flea beetles feed on plants as both larvae and adults, and may damage economically important ornamental plants. Many flea beetle species in the genus Altica have a relatively broad host range, feeding on plant species in one or two families. The preferred family of host plants for Altica litigata is Onagraceae, which includes popular ornamental plants such as evening primrose (Oenothera species), Fuschia species, wavyleaf beeblossom (Guara sinuara), marsh seedbox (Ludwigia palustris), many-fruit primrose (Ludwigia polycarpa), and common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis) (Clark et al. 2004). Weedy plants such as willowherb (Epilobium species) may also be host plants for Altica litigata (Pettis et al. 2004). 

Altica litigata has been found on numerous plants outside the family Onagraceae, and these reports may prove a result of the notoriously difficult sight identification of the genus Altica, or may be minor occurrences. Altica litigata is known to occasionally switch from their host plant to crape myrtles (family Lythraceae), particularly in nurseries (Pettis et al. 2004). In the southeastern U.S.A., adult Altica litigata have been reported to cause damage to crape myrtle., however, a complete life cycle of the flea beetle has not been observed on crape myrtle, suggesting that the Altica found on the crapemyrtle may have moved to the plant after growth and development occurred on its primary host plant (Jenkins et al. 2009).

 

Management (Back to Top)

Adult flea beetles in the genus Altica are herbivorous pests that are very difficult to differentiate with the naked eye. Even when magnified with a microscope, the morphology of different Altica beetle species can be indistinguishable. For this reason, many flea beetles in this genus are differentiated by their host plant preference (Jenkins et al. 2009, Pettis et al. 2004). The presence of adult Altica flea beetle damage can be seen initially as small holes in the leaves, and if the infestation is heavy, they can completely defoliate young branches (Chappell et al. 2012).

The removal of potential weed hosts of Altica litigata from areas close to ornamental hosts may prevent flea beetle infestation of crapemyrtle. Scouting for Altica litigata on crape myrtle in early spring will help prevent a heavy infestation especially if the insects are detected and controlled early. Altica resistant cultivars of crapemyrtle have been identified, and planting these cultivars will decrease the likelihood of heavy flea beetle infestation. Crape myrtle cultivars resistant to Altica species include ‘Acoma’, ‘Lipan’, ‘Muskogee’, ‘Natchez’, ‘Osage’, ‘Tonto’, and ‘Tuscarora’ (Chappell et al. 2012). Parasitoids from the family Tachinidae (Diptera) have been identified in adult Altica. Parasitoids in the family Braconidae (Hymenoptera) have been identified in both larval and adult Altica. The fungus Spirotrichum has been observed to reduce populations of Altica as well, but neither parasitoids nor fungal pathogens have been studied for effectiveness as biological control agents (LeSage 1995).


Selected References (Back to Top)

Authors: Eleanor F. Phillips and Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida
Photographs: Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida
Web Design: Kay Weigel
Publication Number: EENY-721
Publication Date: January 2019

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Featured Creatures Editor and Coordinator: Dr. Elena Rhodes, University of Florida