Boca Chica flea beetle
Chaetocnema rileyi
This record describes Chaetocnema rileyi (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
distinguished based on a combination of the vertex of head with a few punctures above each eye, the pronotal punctures distinct and evenly distributed, the pronotal margin posterior to the anterior pronotal angle lacking an irregularity, lateral margins of body not constricted at the junction of elytra and pronotum, and the shape of the male genitalia. Type Locality: Boca Chica Beach (behind Dunes), Cameron, Texas Texas considers this to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
Wikipedia reference for Chaetocnema rileyi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaetocnema rileyi.
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
Habitat
Habitat Photos (March 2009): Photo 1 , Photo 2 Photo 3 , Photo 4 , Photo 5 - 25.997701, -97.152211
Geographic Range
known only from vicinity of the terminus of Boca Chica Blvd, State Hwy 4, immediately west of beach-side dunes, Cameron Co., TX - Map
Seasonal Activity
series of spmns in the TAMUIC ( 3 ) coll'ed Mar, May, July, Oct: Oct. 19, 1990 - short series May 7, 1991 - short series Oct. 26, 1991 - Holotype in the USNM/Smithsonian Oct. 31, 1991 - long series Mar. 6-7, 2009 - long series (includes BugGuide spmn) July 7, 2017 - long series
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Associated with Marsh Fimbry - ( Fimbristylis castanea , Cyperaceae) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) This species (or species complex) ranges from Long Island south along the Atlantic coast and west along the Gulf coast to northern Mexico, the tip of Yucatan peninsula, and also in coastal areas of Cuba and the Bahamas. (Kral 1971)
Life History
Chaetocnema larvae are known to be subterranean, feeding on the underground portions of their host plants (Jolivet & Hawkeswood 1995; Riley & King 2009)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chaetocnema rileyi R. White 1996
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Chaetocnema rileyi. 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.
Photos of Boca Chica flea beetle (2)
Photo credits: (c) Mike Quinn, San Marcos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mike Quinn, San Marcos | Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Boca Chica flea beetle
What is Boca Chica flea beetle?
Boca Chica flea beetle (Chaetocnema rileyi) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Boca Chica flea beetle?
2.3-3.5 mm
How do you identify Boca Chica flea beetle?
distinguished based on a combination of the vertex of head with a few punctures above each eye, the pronotal punctures distinct and evenly distributed, the pronotal margin posterior to the anterior pronotal angle lacking an irregularity, lateral margins of body not constricted at the junction of elytra and pronotum, and the shape of the male genitalia.
Where is Boca Chica flea beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Habitat Photos (March 2009): Photo 1 , Photo 2 Photo 3 , Photo 4 , Photo 5 - 25.997701, -97.152211 |
| Range | known only from vicinity of the terminus of Boca Chica Blvd, State Hwy 4, immediately west of beach-side dunes, Cameron Co., TX - Map |
What does Boca Chica flea beetle eat?
The diet of the Boca Chica flea beetle includes Associated with Marsh Fimbry - ( Fimbristylis castanea , Cyperaceae) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) This species (or species complex) ranges from Long Island south along the Atlantic coast and west along the Gulf coast to northern Mexico, the tip of Yucatan peninsula, and also in coastal areas of Cuba and the Bahamas. (Kral 1971).
When is Boca Chica flea beetle active?
Boca Chica flea beetle: seasonal activity - series of spmns in the TAMUIC ( 3 ) coll'ed Mar, May, July, Oct: Oct. 19, 1990 - short series May 7, 1991 - short series Oct. 26, 1991 - Holotype in the USNM/Smithsonian Oct. 31, 1991 - long series Mar. 6-7, 2009 - long series (includes BugGuide spmn) July 7, 2017 - long series.
What is the life cycle of a Boca Chica flea beetle?
Chaetocnema larvae are known to be subterranean, feeding on the underground portions of their host plants (Jolivet & Hawkeswood 1995; Riley & King 2009)