Longitarsus nigerrimus (bladderwort flea-beetle)
Longitarsus nigerrimus the bladderwort flea-beetle.
Longitarsus nigerrimus the bladderwort flea-beetle is a small, black flea-beetle. Like other members of the subfamily Alticinae, these beetles have thickened hind femora and are capable of jumping - which they do readily, when disturbed.
Males and females look similar from above:
- they are about 2mm long
- they have thickened hind femora for jumping
- the basal segment of the hind tarsus is much longer than the other tarsal segments
- they are almost completely black, with brown to pitchy-black legs and antennae.
Adults live for almost a year, and the short larval stage occurs between July and September.
Species detail
-
Taxonomy
Longitarsus nigerrimus comes from a large family. Find out more.
-
Distribution and habitat
Longitarsus nigerrimus likes to live in boggy areas, where water levels vary between seasons. Find out why.
-
Biology
These small beetles feed on the stems and leaves of the lesser bladderwort. Find out how they reproduce.
-
Behaviour
Unlike most flea-beetles, Longitarsus nigerrimus is happy on water. Find out how it propels itself.
-
Conservation
Longitarsus nigerrimus is an Endangered Red Data Book species in the UK. Find out more.
-
References
Get more reference information for Longitarsus nigerrimus.
Images
Longitarsus nigerrimus
Longitarsus nigerrimus
Longitarsus nigerrimus
Longitarsus nigerrimus
Longitarsus nigerrimus
Longitarsus nigerrimus habitat
Longitarsus nigerrimus habitat
Author
Dr Roger Booth
Curator of Coleoptera, Department of Entomology.
A word from the author
'Longitarsus nigerrimus was one of the few British species of the genus
which I had not seen in the UK. I tracked it down and rediscovered it
in the UK after many years of it not being seen - the previously published
records were about 60 years old - and showed that the species has a very unusual life cycle.'
