Bug Identifier
Flea beetle (likely)
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.