Chaetocnema pulicaria

Chaetocnema hortensis, also known as the corn flea beetle[1] and clover flea beetle,[2] is a species of flea beetle from Chrysomelidae family, found in Texas, USA[3] and Canada.[4]

Chaetocnema hortensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Chrysomelidae
Genus:
Chaetocnema
Species:
C. hortensis
Binomial name
Chaetocnema hortensis
F. E. Melsheimer, 1880

Description

The species is black in color, with orange legs and antennae.[3] Their size is quite small, about 1⁄16 inch (1.6 mm) long.[5]

Species lifecycle

The females lay eggs in soil, which has plants growing nearby. The eggs hatch in 7 to 14 days into larvae. While in their larval stage, their small, worm-like bodies are white. The larvae feed especially on plants' roots, causing serious damage. Then, they transform into pupae, and a week later, into adults.[5]

Pest

The species is known for causing damage to crops. The damaged plants include sorghum, soybeans, sweet corn, small grains, and some vegetables.[6] They feed on both sides of a leaf (upper and lower parts), including epidermis and the veins. They also transmit Stewart's wilt; by removing the leaf tissue from the plant, they open a wound which allows the disease to begin spreading from plant to plant. The disease organism is Pantoea stewartii.

References
  1. "Chaetocnema pulicaria (Corn Flea Beetle)". Zipcode zoo. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  2. Second common name
  3. "Chaetocnema pulicaria". Bug Guide. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  4. "Chaetocnema pulicaria". Discover life. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  5. "Chaetocnema pulicaria". Entomology.cornell.edu. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  6. Pest
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