Water Spinach Flea Beetle vs Nettle Pug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Spinach Flea Beetle | Nettle Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chaetocnema basalis | Eupithecia venosata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Geometridae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 20-24 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Water Spinach Flea Beetle
A tiny, shiny dark bronze to black flea beetle that is a significant pest of rice seedlings and water spinach across tropical Asia. Its shot-hole feeding weakens young plants.
Did You Know?
Despite its minute size, this beetle can cause devastating damage to rice nurseries when it attacks seedlings at the one-leaf stage.
Nettle Pug
A small pug moth associated with bladder campion, not nettles despite its name. Larvae feed inside the inflated seed capsules. A rather attractive species.
Did You Know?
Despite being called 'Nettle Pug', it has no association with nettles and feeds entirely on campion.