Alder Flea Beetle – Macrohaltica ambiens

Alder Flea Beetle   Scientific Name: Altica ambien (Macrohaltica ambiens) Common Name: Ailanthus Webworm Appearance: Macrohaltica ambiens is a small beetle that has dark metallic black color. The larvae are longer than the adult and have dark brown to black body with yellowish ventral side. Adults are almost 5mm long and have antennae projected outwards over the head. It has black hard forewings that enclose and protects the soft hindwings. Host Plants or Food: Alder trees are the main host of the Alder flea beetle. Territory: Throughout North America. Mode of Damage: Alder flea beetles are leaf chewers. They mainly feed on the leave of Alder trees. They completely eat up the tissues between the veins of the leaves, thus skeletonizing them. Habits and Life History: Both adult and larvae of the Alder flea beetle feed on the leaves of the Alder trees. They skeletonize the leaves, only leaving the veins behind. Alder flea beetle undergoes all four life stages, including Eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and adults. Adults spend their winter going into hibernation at the base of trees and other protective places. Adults come out of hibernation in early Spring and resume their activities. Adults lay eggs on the underside of the leaves in clusters. After a few days, eggs hatch into larvae and begin feeding. Larvae move under the leaf litter, where they pupate into the pupal stage. After 10 days, the pupae mature into adult Alder flea beetles in August. They produce one generation in a year.