Diet

• Adults: Primarily feed on leaves, chewing small holes in the foliage of a wide variety of plants.

• Larvae: Develop in the soil, where they feed mainly on plant roots.

• The species has a broad host range and can occur on both wild vegetation and cultivated plants.

Range

• Systena blanda is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Galerucinae, tribe Alticini.

• It is widely distributed in North America, extending southward into Mexico.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua, where it occurs in suitable areas of leafy vegetation. Local records identify S. blanda as the Pale-striped Flea Beetle.

Habitat

• Found in woodland, forest edges, scrub, gardens, agricultural areas and disturbed vegetation.

• Adults are usually found directly on leaves and stems, where they can quickly jump away when disturbed.

• Around Zihua, look on low shrubs, herbaceous plants and leafy vegetation, particularly during the rainy season when fresh foliage is abundant.

• The larvae remain concealed in the soil around host plants.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 in). Specimens around 4 mm are typical.

• Body elongated and somewhat cylindrical.

• Usually dark brown to black, with a contrasting pale yellowish or whitish stripe along each elytron.

• The hind legs have greatly enlarged femora, giving the beetle its characteristic flea-like jumping ability.