Willow Flea Beetle (Crepidodera aurata)

🪲 Willow Flea Beetle (Crepidodera aurata)

The Willow Flea Beetle (Crepidodera aurata) is a small, metallic-colored leaf beetle found across Europe and parts of Asia. As its name suggests, it primarily feeds on willow trees, and its ability to jump like a flea gives it the name “flea beetle.”

🔍 Identification

• Size: 2.5–4 mm long
• Color:
  • Iridescent blue, green, or bronze metallic sheen
  • Often changes slightly depending on lighting
• Body shape: Oval and domed
• Legs: Hind legs are enlarged and adapted for jumping

🌿 Habitat & Distribution

• Range: Widespread throughout Europe and parts of Asia
• Habitat:
  • Found near moist areas, especially where willows (Salix spp.) and poplars (Populus spp.) grow
  • Common in woodlands, riverbanks, wetlands, and gardens

🍽️ Diet & Behavior

• Feeding habits:
  • Adults and larvae feed on willow and poplar leaves
  • Create characteristic small holes or shot-hole damage in foliage
• Jumping:
  • Uses strong hind legs to leap away quickly when disturbed — similar to true fleas
• Life cycle:
  • Adults overwinter in leaf litter or under bark
  • Lay eggs in spring on host plants
  • Larvae feed on leaves before pupating in the soil

🌟 Interesting Facts

• Though small, it plays a role in natural pest control and nutrient cycling in ecosystems
• Its metallic coloration is not caused by pigments but by the microscopic structure of its cuticle, which reflects light

✅ Ecological Role

• While sometimes considered a minor pest due to leaf damage on ornamental willows, it rarely causes serious harm
• Prey for birds, spiders, and predatory insects, contributing to the food web

📌 Summary

The Willow Flea Beetle (Crepidodera aurata) may be tiny, but it’s a beautifully iridescent and ecologically significant insect. Its distinctive metallic sheen and remarkable jumping ability make it a fascinating species for entomologists and nature lovers alike.

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