Adult flea beetles feed externally on plants, eating the surface of the leaves, stems and petals. This beetle was photographed on thistle and on Rattlesnake Master. It is probably common at both nature centers and Camp Brewster.

Flea beetles are in a subfamily of the leaf beetles (Alticinae). Flea beetles is a general name applied to the small, jumping beetles of the leaf beetle family. They make up the tribe Alticini which is a part of the subfamily Galerucinae, though they were historically classified as a subfamily in their own right. They are similar to other leaf beetles, but characteristically have the hindleg greatly enlarged. These enlarged hindlegs allow for the springing action of these insects when disturbed. Flea beetles can also walk normally and fly. Under heavy feeding the small round holes caused by an individual beetle’s feeding may coalesce into larger areas of damage.