Ragwort Flea Beetle vs Flat Bark Hister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ragwort Flea Beetle | Flat Bark Hister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Longitarsus jacobaeae | Hololepta plana |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Histeridae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Eastern North America |
| 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.
Did You Know?
One of the most successful biological control agents ever used, dramatically reducing ragwort in multiple countries.
Flat Bark Hister Beetle
An extremely flattened, disc-like black beetle found under bark of dead trees. Its body is compressed to fit in the narrow space between bark and wood.
Did You Know?
Its body is so flat it can squeeze into gaps less than 2 mm wide to pursue prey under tight-fitting bark.