Flea Beetle vs Fall Armyworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flea Beetle Fall Armyworm
Scientific Name Altica oleracea Spodoptera frugiperda
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Noctuidae
Size 3-5 mm 32-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, North America Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Flea Beetle

Tiny jumping beetles with enlarged hind femora for leaping. Named for their flea-like jumping ability. Many species are metallic blue, green, or bronze.

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Did You Know?

Flea beetles can jump 100 times their body length in a single leap — they use an elastic protein pad in their hind legs that stores and releases energy like a catapult.

Fall Armyworm

A highly destructive migratory moth whose caterpillars can devastate entire corn and cereal fields in days. It has recently spread from the Americas to Africa and Asia.

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Did You Know?

Fall armyworm moths can migrate up to 1,600 km in a single generation carried by wind currents.