Iris Flea Beetle vs Ragweed Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Iris Flea Beetle | Ragweed Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aphthona nonstriata | Zygogramma suturalis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America (native), introduced to Russia, China, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Iris Flea Beetle
A small blue-green flea beetle associated with yellow iris in wetland habitats. Larvae feed on iris roots underwater. A specialized member of the wetland beetle community.
Did You Know?
Larvae can survive submerged among iris roots, extracting oxygen from the waterlogged plant tissue.
Ragweed Leaf Beetle
A brown beetle with dark longitudinal stripes on the elytra, introduced to several countries as a biocontrol agent against common ragweed. Both adults and larvae feed on ragweed foliage.
Did You Know?
It was introduced from North America to the former Soviet Union in the 1970s as biological control against ragweed, a major hay fever allergen source.