Shining Flea Beetle vs South American Malaria Mosquito
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Shining Flea Beetle | South American Malaria Mosquito |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Asphaera lustrans | Anopheles darlingi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Culicidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Central and South America | Central America, Amazon Basin, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Shining Flea Beetle
A relatively large, metallic blue-green flea beetle with reddish-orange femora. It is one of the larger and more colorful alticines found in the Neotropics.
Did You Know?
Despite its relatively large size, it retains the powerful jumping ability characteristic of flea beetles, launching itself several centimeters when disturbed.
South American Malaria Mosquito
A medium-sized mosquito that is the most important malaria vector in the Amazon Basin and Central America. It is highly anthropophilic and breeds along the margins of large rivers and in forest pools. Deforestation and road-building increase its breeding habitat.
Did You Know?
Deforestation in the Amazon creates new sunlit pools at river margins that favor this species, increasing malaria risk.