The jumping apparatus of flea beetles (Alticinae) — The metafemoral spring

Abstract

Flea Beetles (Alticinae) is the largest subfamily of the Chrysomelidae with approximately 560 genera and 8000 species described. The scientific name of the type genus, Altica Fabricius 1775, is derived from the Greek ‘haltikos’ which means good at jumping. Although the Latinization of the original Greek name by Fabricius (1775) may not be entirely correct, following the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature the correct spelling for the type genus is Altica not Haltica (thus. Alticinae not Halticinae) (see detailed discussion in Furth 1981). The common name, Flea Beetle, is also basically derived (in several languages) from their ability to jump in an analagous fashion to the true fleas (Siphonaptera). Flea Beetles include, with the possible exception of some species of fleas (Rothschild et al 1975), the best jumpers among all insects and, indeed, among all living creatures. Most Alticinae use this jumping ability voluntarily in a very effective manner to avoid potential predators or entomologists. Lindroth (1971) observed that birds are not able to catch Flea Beetles that are on foliage because of the beetle’s effective escape by jumping. Jumping also serves as an efficient method of locomotion, especially for flightless populations. Flea Beetles can leap long distances relative to their body size (length). For example, a 7 mm long Blepharida sacra (Weise) has been measured to jump up to 70 cm or about 100 times its body length!