Ragwort Flea Beetle vs Euphorbia Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ragwort Flea Beetle Euphorbia Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Longitarsus jacobaeae Aphthona euphorbiae
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Chrysomelidae
Size 2-3 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Grasslands
Diet Root Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ragwort Flea Beetle

A small black flea beetle that feeds on ragwort plants. Successfully used as a biological control agent for invasive ragwort in Australia and New Zealand. Larvae mine in roots.

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Did You Know?

One of the most successful biological control agents ever used, dramatically reducing ragwort in multiple countries.

Euphorbia Flea Beetle

A tiny bronze flea beetle that feeds on spurge plants. Used as a highly effective biological control agent for leafy spurge in North America. Larvae feed on spurge roots.

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Did You Know?

Released in North America, it became one of the most successful biocontrol programs for the invasive leafy spurge.