Chrysanthemum Flea Beetle vs Common Least Skipper

Longitarsus succineus compared with Ancyloxypha numitor

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Chrysanthemum Flea Beetle	Common Least Skipper
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Chrysomelidae	Hesperiidae
Genus	Longitarsus	Ancyloxypha
Species	Longitarsus succineus	Ancyloxypha numitor

Evolutionary Relationship

Chrysanthemum Flea Beetle and Common Least Skipper share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Chrysanthemum Flea Beetle

LC — Least Concern

Common Least Skipper

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Chrysanthemum Flea Beetle	Common Least Skipper
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Chrysanthemum Flea Beetle

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Least Skipper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Canada and United States.

Chrysanthemum Flea Beetle

The chrysanthemum flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephalus) is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to Europe and western Asia. Adults are small, shiny, metallic bronze-green to blue-black beetles, and like other flea beetles, they possess enlarged hind femora that enable them to jump powerfully when disturbed, giving the group their common name. Both adults and larvae of this species feed on plants in the family Brassicaceae, particularly oilseed rape (Brassica napus), as well as members of related plant families. The specific association with chrysanthemum suggested by the common name may reflect occasional feeding on ornamental plants or historical misidentification, as the primary pest hosts in agricultural contexts are cruciferous crops. Adult beetles make characteristic small round holes in leaves, and larvae mine the stems of host plants. Psylliodes chrysocephalus is a notable agricultural pest of oilseed rape in parts of Europe, where larval stem mining can reduce crop vigor. Population levels are highest in autumn when adults are actively feeding and laying eggs. Integrated pest management strategies for flea beetle control include crop rotation, seed treatments, and biological controls.

Common Least Skipper

The Common Least Skipper (<em>Ancyloxypha numitor</em>) is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is native to Canada and the United States, where it typically inhabits virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats within its range, showing a particular affinity for moist, grassy areas near water. The species is among the smallest skippers in North America, characterized by orange and brown wing coloration and a rapid, low-flying flight pattern close to vegetation. Adults typically nectar on small flowers while larvae feed on grasses, particularly those in wet meadows, marshes, stream margins, and disturbed grassy areas. The Common Least Skipper is frequently observed in wetland margins, wet prairies, and roadsides with rank grass growth. Its wide distribution across North America and habitat generalism across moist grassland and wetland types support its stable population and Least Concern conservation status. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇨🇦 Canada