# Alder Flea Beetle (*Altica ambiens*)

The Alder Flea Beetle is a tiny, jumping insect that loves to munch on plants. It has shiny, greenish-blue wings and can hop like a little grasshopper when it feels scared.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands

![Alder Flea Beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Altica_ambiens.jpg&width=800)

Photo: David McCorquodale, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Altica_ambiens.jpg)

## Appearance

The Alder Flea Beetle is a small, oval-shaped insect with a striking metallic blue, purple, or blue-green sheen. It has noticeably thickened hind legs, which make it visually distinct and ready for powerful jumps.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Chrysomelidae
- **Genus:** Altica

## Interesting facts

- If disturbed, they often drop from plants and play dead to avoid being eaten.
- Like butterflies, they go through a full metamorphosis from egg to larva to adult.
- Sometimes, their tiny larvae live underground, munching on plant roots!
- Their name "flea beetle" comes from their amazing jumping ability!

## Special abilities

- **Mighty Leaper:** Alder Flea Beetle can jump far using its powerful hind legs, helping them escape predators quickly.
- **Defensive Shield:** Alder Flea Beetle has a tough, hard exoskeleton that protects its soft body from being easily squashed.
- **Leaf Nibbler:** Alder Flea Beetle has strong mouthparts to chew through tough alder leaves, its main food source.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 2.8-4.5 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-60 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

These tiny beetles munch on leaves, especially from alder trees, to get all their energy!

- **Age differences:** Larvae also feed on leaves, sometimes plant roots.
- **Primary Foods:** Alder leaves, Willow leaves, Poplar leaves
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Red Alder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-alder) (*Alnus rubra*) — Feeds on leaves as both larvae and adults.
- **Eaten by:** [Black-capped Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-capped-chickadee) (*Poecile atricapillus*) — A common bird that preys on insects.
- **Eaten by:** Common Damsel Bug (*Nabis americoferus*) — A predatory insect that ambushes small beetles.
- **Eaten by:** Flower Crab Spider (*Misumena vatia*) — Ambush predator that waits on flowers for prey.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

These beetles are not harmful, but it's best to look and not touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Alder Flea Beetle?

Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How big is Alder Flea Beetle?

2.8-4.5 mm

### How long does Alder Flea Beetle live?

30-60 days

### What does Alder Flea Beetle eat?

These tiny beetles munch on leaves, especially from alder trees, to get all their energy!

### Where is Alder Flea Beetle usually found?

Wetlands

### How does Alder Flea Beetle hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Alder Flea Beetle have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Alder Flea Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alder-flea-beetle)