Grape Flea Beetle vs Wrinkled Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Grape Flea Beetle | Wrinkled Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Altica chalybea | Oxytelus rugosus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 4-5 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Herbivores | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe, Asia, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Grape Flea Beetle
A small, metallic dark blue beetle with enlarged jumping legs that feeds on grape buds and young foliage. It can cause significant economic damage in vineyards by destroying developing buds.
Did You Know?
Adults emerge in early spring to feed on swelling grape buds, and a single beetle can destroy multiple buds before leaves fully develop.
Wrinkled Rove Beetle
A small, flattened rove beetle with a heavily sculptured pronotum bearing deep longitudinal furrows. It is one of the most common dung-inhabiting staphylinids across the Palearctic region.
Did You Know?
This beetle is among the first colonizers of fresh dung pats, arriving within minutes of deposition to prey on fly eggs.