Shiny Flea Beetle
ExploreInsects
Shiny Flea Beetle
asphaera lustrans
The Shiny Flea Beetle (Asphaera lustrans) is a small, brilliantly colored member of the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. Renowned for its dazzling metallic coloration and remarkable jumping ability, this tiny insect is a captivating find for nature enthusiasts. These beetles are primarily found in warm, subtropical regions, where they can be observed clinging to the foliage of their favorite host plants. Despite their diminutive size, Shiny Flea Beetles play an active role in their local ecosystems as specialized herbivores, feeding on leaves to help regulate plant growth while serving as a vital food source for a variety of insectivorous birds, spiders, and predatory insects.
Habitat: Typically found in subtropical scrublands, forest edges, and fields, particularly where host plants in the verbena or mint families are abundant.
Appearance
The Shiny Flea Beetle is characterized by its striking, high-contrast coloration, featuring a bright orange-red pronotum and head that contrasts sharply with its deep, metallic blue or greenish-black elytra. Its body is highly convex and oval, typically measuring around 1 centimeter in length. Like other flea beetles, it possesses noticeably enlarged, muscular hind thighs adapted for leaping, and its antennae are long, dark, and highly active.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyChrysomelidaeGenusAsphaera
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite their name, flea beetles are true beetles and are not closely related to actual fleas; they only share the incredible jumping mechanism.
The feeding damage they leave on leaves is often called 'shothole' damage because it looks like the plant was hit by tiny pellets.
Their bright, metallic colors do not come from pigments, but from microscopic structures in their exoskeleton that refract light.
Their jumping power comes from a tiny, spring-like structure in their hind legs called the metafemoral spring, which releases energy instantly.
Special abilities
Ability
Flea-Like Leaping
Equipped with highly enlarged hind femora containing a spring-like mechanism, this beetle can launch itself many times its body length into the air to instantly escape predators.
Ability
Reflective Aposematism
The brilliant metallic blue and orange coloration serves as warning coloration to visually hunting predators, signaling that they may be unpalatable.
Ability
Chemical Defense
When threatened or seized, the beetle can reflexively bleed or exude noxious chemicals from its joints to deter ants and small predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 1 cm
- Wingspan
- 1-2 cm
- Weight
- 0.00001-0.00003 kg
- Lifespan
- 1 years
- Clutch Size
- 20-100
- Incubation
- 7-14 days
Diet & Feeding
Feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of specific host plants, particularly within the Verbenaceae and Lamiaceae families, chewing small, characteristic holes in the foliage.
Age differences: Larvae feed underground on the roots of host plants, whereas adults feed aerially on the foliage.
Primary Foods
- Lantana leaves
- Verbena foliage
- Wild sage leaves
Foraging Method
- Grazing
Ecological connections
host plant
Common Lantana
Lantana camara
Adult beetles feed on the leaves, while larvae feed on the roots of this plant.
eaten by
Green Lynx Spider
Peucetia viridans
An active predator in the same foliage that frequently captures and eats flea beetles.
eaten by
Spined Soldier Bug
Podisus maculiventris
Nymphs and adults of this predatory stink bug prey upon the larvae and adult beetles.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Shiny Flea Beetle?
The easiest way to identify Shiny Flea Beetle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Shiny Flea Beetle?
1 cm
What is Shiny Flea Beetle's wingspan?
1-2 cm
How much does Shiny Flea Beetle weigh?
0.00001-0.00003 kg
How long does Shiny Flea Beetle live?
1 years
What does Shiny Flea Beetle eat?
Feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of specific host plants, particularly within the Verbenaceae and Lamiaceae families, chewing small, characteristic holes in the foliage.
Where is Shiny Flea Beetle usually found?
Typically found in subtropical scrublands, forest edges, and fields, particularly where host plants in the verbena or mint families are abundant.
How does Shiny Flea Beetle hunt?
Grazing
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