COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > CHRYSOMELOIDEA > Chrysomelidae > Galerucinae > Alticini

As previously noted, the Alticini tribe, which under some classification systems may be treated as a separate subfamily, Alticinae, includes 127 species of flea beetle.   

They are small to medium-sized beetles, some up to 6mm, but typically around 2-4mm. Most have a convex elongate-oval shape with a discontinuous outline between the head, pronotum and elytra, although in a couple of genera, such as Sphaeroderma, the pronotum and elytra appear to merge giving them a much more rounded appearance. The colour is very variable with some species being uniform black, brown, orange or even yellow, with or without a metallic reflection, whereas others may be bicoloured with contrasting elytra and forebody. The legs, of course, have the characteristic enlarged hind femora that distinguish the species giving them the ability to jump clear in an instant when threatened.  

The 127 listed British species are spread across 22 genera, the largest being Longitarsus with 43 species, followed by Psylliodes and Phyllotreta, both with 15. The genera can usually be established and, in many cases, particularly with the smaller genera, it should be possible to determine the species. The situation changes though with the large or more difficult groups, notably Longitarsus, but also Aphthona and Altrica, as close examination and/or dissection may be required. Fortunately, the few species that I've been able to photograph have been identified with some help, so all have been named with a reasonable degree of certainty. One bit of advice that I was given, both with flea beetles, but also with any species that have strong associations with certain plants is to take note of the plant they're seen on as obviously that information can be useful in confirming identity - I just wish I had more knowledge and was able to recognise wild plants but, unfortunately, I'm pretty useless even with the plants growing in the garden!

Crepidodera aurata (Willow Flea Beetle) averages 3mm long; variable colouration, pronotum green to golden coppery-red to violet, elytra blue, golden-green or violet; punctures on the pronotum coarse and variable in size; punctures on the elytra in rows, completely regular and not fading towards the tip; basal half of the antennae pale, gradually darkening. Widespread and locally abundant; usually on willows, occasionally on poplars and alder.

Longitarsus cf.jacobeaea (Ragwort Flea Beetle) 2.5-3mm; described as orangey or reddish-yellow; first segment of the hind tarsus about half the length of the hind tibia (characteristic of the genus); tip of the antennae, clypeus and palps blackish. Late season species together with Longitarsus flavicornis that feed on ragwort (Senecio), but cannot be reliably separated without detailed examination.

Neocrepidodera transversa, there are three orangey-brown species in this genus distinguished by a transverse furrow near the rear margin of the pronotum with a distinct short longitudinal furrow each side running forward from the base. Neocrepidodera transversa has stronger punctures on the elytra, which are more randomly spaced than the regular rows seen in Neocrepidodera ferruginea.

Psylliodes chrysocephala is one of the larger species with some individuals reaching 4.5mm. In Britain they typically have a yellowish-red head and a metallic blue or blue-green pronotum and elytra, but there is a relatively uncommon form where the elytra are pale yellow-brown as in the individual featured here. In Europe there are a number of different coloured variants. The elytra have rounded shoulders, which are slightly broader at the base than the pronotum, with rows of distinct punctures with wide flat areas in between that become weaker in the apical third. The front and middle legs are pale, as are the tibiae and tarsi of the hind legs, but enlarged hind femora are black or very dark brown.

Psylliodes napi is a small 2-3mm long species with a dark metallic blue body that appears almost black in poor light; pronotum and elytra distinctively convex; legs are reddish-yellow, but for the black or dark blue hind femora; the 10-segmented antennae are pale at the base, gradually darkening; eyes are large and convex; the pronotum is broadest across the base and has a curved (from above) anterior margin; the elytra are elongate, broadest in front of the middle with sloping shoulders and a continuously curved margin, strongly punctured striae which fade towards the apex.

Updated, Oct.22 (v.2)