
Community identification
Flea beetle (likely)
Alticini sp.
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles), tribe Alticini
- Size
- Usually 1.5–4 mm long; the pictured insect appears only a few millimeters long.
Natural Habitat
Vegetation, gardens, crop fields, and areas near windows or lights. Adults may wander onto outdoor fabrics and walls.
Diet & Feeding
Adults chew small holes in leaves, especially brassicas and other garden plants; larvae typically feed on roots or underground plant parts.
Behavior Patterns
Active, quick-moving beetles that jump strongly when disturbed using enlarged hind legs. They may overwinter in leaf litter or soil and emerge in spring.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to people and pets, though some species damage seedlings and leafy crops. They are also prey for birds, spiders, and predatory insects.