Omophoita octoguttata
Omophoita octoguttata
Like other flea beetles, this species has highly enlarged hind femurs containing a specialized muscle-spring mechanism that allows it to catapult itself great distances to escape predators.
- Scientific name
- Omophoita octoguttata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Chrysomelidae › Omophoita
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Tropical and subtropical forest edges, gardens, and shrubby woodlands.
- Diet
- Foliage of host plants, particularly within the Passifloraceae and Boraginaceae families.
- Range
- Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia
- Size
- 8 to 10 mm in length
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 months as an adult
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss due to deforestation and localized pesticide use in agricultural zones.
- Safe to approach?
- This tiny beetle is completely harmless to humans. It is safe to observe from any distance. If approached too closely, it will use its powerful hind legs to suddenly jump away and escape.
Photo: Lucas Rubio, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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