Texas Systena
ExploreInsects
Texas Systena
systena gracilenta
The Texas Systena is a small beetle that loves to munch on plants! With its shiny green body, it sparkles in the sunlight as it crawls around gardens and fields.
Habitat: Texas Systena live in gardens, fields, and areas with plenty of plants.
Appearance
The Texas Systena is a tiny, oval-shaped beetle with a shiny body, typically ranging from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. Its most striking visual difference from other small beetles is its noticeably thick and muscular hind legs, built for powerful jumps.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyChrysomelidaeGenusSystena
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even its babies, called larvae, live underground and feast on plant roots!
It's a type of flea beetle, named for its amazing jumping skills, not for being a flea!
Some Texas Systena beetles can even "play dead" by freezing still when danger is near!
When threatened, this tiny beetle can jump so far it's like a person leaping over a skyscraper!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Leap Escape
Texas Systena can launch itself into the air with a powerful jump, using its enlarged hind legs to escape predators quickly.
Ability
Plant Power Muncher
Texas Systena has specialized mouthparts that help them munch on tough plant leaves and stems, getting nutrients.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 4-8 mm
- Size
- 2-4 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-60 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
These little beetles mainly munch on leaves and stems of many different plants.
Age differences: Larvae feed on plant roots underground, while adults eat leaves and stems.
Primary Foods
- Pigweed leaves
- Sunflower leaves
- Cotton leaves
- Corn leaves
- Bean leaves
- Mustard plants
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Yellow Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
Often caught in the webs of these orb-weaving spiders.
eats
Common Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Feeds on the leaves and sometimes flowers of sunflower plants.
eaten by
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White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
A small bird that preys on various insects found on plants.
eats
Redroot Pigweed
Amaranthus retroflexus
Known to feed on the leaves of these common weed plants.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Flower BeetleGreen Beetle
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Texas Systena's wingspan?
4-8 mm
How big is Texas Systena?
2-4 mm
How long does Texas Systena live?
30-60 days
How fast can Texas Systena fly?
8 km/h
What does Texas Systena eat?
These little beetles mainly munch on leaves and stems of many different plants.
Where is Texas Systena usually found?
Texas Systena live in gardens, fields, and areas with plenty of plants.
How does Texas Systena hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Texas Systena have?
6
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