Boll Weevil vs Bronze Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Boll Weevil Bronze Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Anthonomus grandis Altica ambiens
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Chrysomelidae
Size 4-8 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Farmland Wetlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions North America, Central America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Boll Weevil

A small grayish-brown weevil with a long curved snout used to bore into cotton bolls. It devastated the American cotton industry in the early 20th century.

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Did You Know?

The boll weevil caused such economic destruction that it inadvertently forced Southern farmers to diversify their crops, ultimately benefiting some communities.

Bronze Flea Beetle

A metallic bronze to greenish flea beetle with prominent hind leg development. It feeds on alder leaves in wetland habitats across North America.

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Did You Know?

Heavy infestations can cause nearly complete defoliation of alder shrubs, which then produce a second flush of leaves later in the season.