Ambrosia Beetle vs Iris Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ambrosia Beetle Iris Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Xyleborinus saxesenii Aphthona nonstriata
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Chrysomelidae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Gardens Wetlands
Diet Fungus Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Europe, North America, Asia Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Ambrosia Beetle

A tiny wood-boring beetle that cultivates ambrosia fungi inside tree galleries as food. They live in cooperative family groups where daughters help maintain the fungus garden.

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Did You Know?

Daughter beetles delay dispersal to help their mother maintain and protect the fungus garden, a rare form of insect cooperation.

Iris Flea Beetle

A small blue-green flea beetle associated with yellow iris in wetland habitats. Larvae feed on iris roots underwater. A specialized member of the wetland beetle community.

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Did You Know?

Larvae can survive submerged among iris roots, extracting oxygen from the waterlogged plant tissue.