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Psylliodes sp.
Small (3mm) metallic blue-black beetle; enlarged, folded rear femurs.
Suburban garden on Kangaroo apple (Solanum laciniatum).
Flea beetles... size is important...
order: COLEOPTERA
suborder: POLYPHAGA
superfamily: CHRYSOMELOIDEA
family: CHRYSOMELIDAE
subfamily: Galerucinae
tribe: Alticini
genus: Psylliodes
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:b...
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...
http://www.ces.csiro.au/aicn/system/c_68...
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2003/03062...
Spotted on Jan 30, 2012
Submitted on Jan 30, 2012
3 Comments
Do you think this could be the same beetle? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/947...
I've been trying to research the Blue Metallic Flea Beetles (Altica Pagana) as an option but from the little info I've found they are only 2-3mm long...
A very clear shot for such a small leaf beetles. Some of these shapes have large back (jumping) legs and are called flea beetles (Chrysomelidae still) but I'm not sure if this is included. You can see where he had lunch - salad I think.
great picture!!