Altica lythri

This flea beetle is almost identical to other Altica  species and they can only be distinguished by dissection, preferably from a male. Like other 'flea' beetles it has powerful back legs enabling it to jump.

There are seven native Altica species and none can be reliably identified from physical characters.

This species will not be accepted without 'gen det' - dissection of the male genitalia.

Altica lythri feeds on the Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum).

Usually seen in spring and summer.

Very common in southern Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 148 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.