Where do green fleas come from? - briefly
Green fleas, often identified as springtails of the genus Collembola, originate in damp soil and leaf litter where fungal colonies supply their main nutrition. Their distinctive green pigmentation serves as protection against ultraviolet radiation in these moist environments.
Where do green fleas come from? - in detail
Green flea beetles belong to the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Alticinae. Their evolutionary lineage traces back to the late Jurassic, when early leaf‑feeding beetles diversified alongside the rise of angiosperms. Molecular phylogenies place the modern genera within a clade that expanded during the Cretaceous, exploiting newly emerging herbaceous plants.
Geographic origin varies among genera, but most green species are native to temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Primary centers of diversity include:
- Europe’s Mediterranean basin, where genera such as «Altica» and «Aphthona» first appeared.
- East Asia, particularly China and Japan, hosting numerous endemic green flea beetles.
- North America’s western forests, home to species adapted to coniferous and deciduous hosts.
Habitat preferences reflect their plant‑feeding habits. Adult beetles reside on foliage, stems, and flowers of host plants, while larvae develop in soil or within plant tissues. Typical host families are:
- Brassicaceae – many species target cruciferous crops.
- Fabaceae – several green flea beetles specialize on legumes.
- Asteraceae – adults feed on composite flowers.
Dispersal mechanisms include wind‑assisted flight of adults and inadvertent human transport via agricultural produce. Introductions to non‑native regions have occurred through trade, leading to established populations in Oceania and parts of South America.
In summary, green flea beetles originated from ancient leaf‑chewing beetle ancestors, diversified alongside flowering plants, and now occupy a broad range of habitats across the Northern Hemisphere, with occasional spread to other continents through human activity.