Epitrix cucumeris | |
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Epitrix cucumeris, Oklahoma | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Suborder: | Polyphaga |
Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
Family: | Chrysomelidae |
Tribe: | Alticini |
Genus: | Epitrix |
Species: | E. cucumeris |
Binomial name | |
Epitrix cucumeris (Harris, 1851) | |
Synonyms | |
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Epitrix cucumeris, the potato flea beetle, is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. [1] [2] [3] It is a major pest of potatoes in North America. [4]
It is native to North America [1] [5] and occurs widely in the Americas; [5] [4] it has also been introduced to the Azores [5] and the continental Europe (Portugal and Spain). [4] [6]
Epitrix cucumeris is a small oval and convex beetle measuring 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) in length. It is difficult to distinguish from many other Epitrix without detailed examination. [4]
It is a major pest of potatoes in North America, mostly damaging the foliage as adults. The larvae can sometimes damage the tubers. [4] It can also feed on many other Solanaceae species. [3]