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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Cucujiformia » Longhorn and Leaf Beetles (Chrysomeloidea) » Leaf Beetles (Chrysomelidae) » Skeletonizing Leaf Beetles and Flea Beetles (Galerucinae) » Flea Beetles (Alticini) » Altica Genus Group » Altica » Grape Flea Beetle (Altica chalybea)
Photo#182620
Green flea beetle - Altica chalybea
Copyright © 2008 Charley Eiseman

Green flea beetle - Altica chalybea
South Hadley, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
May 14, 2008
Size: 4 mm
Found a number of these munching on Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus). They were much greener without the flash.
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Contributed by Charley Eiseman on 14 May, 2008 - 8:02pm
Last updated 14 February, 2019 - 7:48am

caution:
a second species (A. woodsi) lives on Vitaceae, both found in MA.
Smaller, more slender than chalybea, and usually greenish (LeSage, 2002).
… Boris Büche, 15 September, 2022 - 1:30am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
That species is "deep purple" according to the guide page; maybe an adjustment is needed?
… Charley Eiseman, 15 September, 2022 - 5:05am login or register to post comments

Nice!
The spp. of the genus are VERY alike, but, as a rule, pretty food specific. Guess your observation is enough to substitute a taxonomic identification.
… Boris Büche, 17 May, 2008 - 2:07pm login or register to post comments

genus Altica
most probably.
… Boris Büche, 15 May, 2008 - 5:12am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
I just googled "Altica virginia creeper" and found the grape flea beetle, Altica chalybea Illiger. Looks like a good match with the image here.
… Charley Eiseman, 15 May, 2008 - 7:59am login or register to post comments

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