Corn Flea Beetle
Chaetocnema pulicaria
This record describes Chaetocnema pulicaria (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
May damage corn crops; important in parts of the Midwest where it may transmit the bacterial agent of Stewart's wilt of corn ( 4 ) . It is also called the clover leaf beetle for feeding on this crop
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Galerucinae
- Tribe
- Alticini
- Genus
- Chaetocnema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
CA-FL-ON-BC - [url=https://www.gbif.org/species/4990561]Map[/ur;] , also nearly worldwide
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts: various grasses (Poaceae) ( 3 ) Also soybeans and clover.
Life History
Female lays egg in ground near host plants. Eggs hatch in 7-14 days.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: pulicaria = 'flea-like'
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Chaetocnema pulicaria. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corn Flea Beetle
What is Corn Flea Beetle?
Corn Flea Beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Corn Flea Beetle found?
Range: CA-FL-ON-BC - [url=https://www.gbif.org/species/4990561]Map[/ur;] , also nearly worldwide
What does Corn Flea Beetle eat?
The diet of the Corn Flea Beetle includes Hosts: various grasses (Poaceae) ( 3 ) Also soybeans and clover..
What is the life cycle of a Corn Flea Beetle?
Female lays egg in ground near host plants. Eggs hatch in 7-14 days.