# Flea Beetle (*Altica tredecimmaculata*)

The Flea Beetle is a small beetle that can jump like a flea! It's often found on plants, munching on leaves.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and fields

![Flea Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426451/objects/5558.jpg)

## Appearance

The Flea Beetle is a tiny insect, typically oval or rounded, with a shiny, often metallic body in colors like black, blue, green, or brown. It has noticeably thicker hind legs compared to its front ones, which makes it look different from many other small beetles.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Despite their tiny size, Flea Beetles can leap many times their own body length!
- Flea Beetle babies live hidden underground, munching on plant roots before becoming adults!
- If you try to catch one, it will likely spring away faster than you can even blink!
- Some Flea Beetles are so picky, they only eat leaves from one special type of plant!

## Special abilities

- **Super Leap:** Flea Beetle can jump incredibly far and fast because of its powerful, enlarged hind legs, helping them escape predators.
- **Armor Coat:** Flea Beetle has a tough, hard exoskeleton that protects its body from many physical threats and impacts.
- **Chemical Shield:** Some Flea Beetles can release defensive chemicals when threatened, deterring predators with an unpleasant taste.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 3-9 mm
- **Size:** 1.5-4.5 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-60 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

These tiny beetles are plant-eaters, munching on leaves and roots to grow and thrive.

- **Age differences:** Larvae eat roots underground, while adults feed on plant leaves above ground.
- **Primary Foods:** Mustard plants, Radish, Potato, Eggplant, Spinach, Corn
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Common bird that preys on Flea Beetles.
- **Eaten by:** Big-eyed Bug (*Geocoris pallens*) — Predatory insect that captures small beetles.
- **Eats:** Wild Cabbage (*Brassica oleracea*) — Adults feed on the leaves, creating small holes.
- **Eats:** [Potato](https://www.snappit.app/explore/potato) (*Solanum tuberosum*) — Adults and larvae consume leaves and roots.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
- [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)
- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify 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.

### What is Flea Beetle's wingspan?

3-9 mm

### How big is Flea Beetle?

1.5-4.5 mm

### How long does Flea Beetle live?

30-60 days

### What does Flea Beetle eat?

These tiny beetles are plant-eaters, munching on leaves and roots to grow and thrive.

### Where is Flea Beetle usually found?

Gardens and fields

### How does Flea Beetle hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does 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: [Flea Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/flea-beetle)