ljusgul jordloppa
Longitarsus ochroleucus
Longitarsus ochroleucus is a small flea beetle species with a distinctive pale yellow to ochre coloration that gives it its Swedish common name 'ljusgul jordloppa' (light yellow earth flea). This specialized herbivorous beetle feeds on specific host plants and plays a role in plant-insect community dynamics within its native European ecosystems.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitarsus_ochroleucus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Chrysomelidae
Genus
Longitarsus
ljusgul jordloppa belongs to the family Chrysomelidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Longitarsus ochroleucus is a small flea beetle species with a distinctive pale yellow to ochre coloration that gives it its Swedish common name 'ljusgul jordloppa' (light yellow earth flea). This specialized herbivorous beetle feeds on specific host plants and plays a role in plant-insect community dynamics within its native European ecosystems.
Longitarsus ochroleucus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal sand dune environments. The species' extremely limited distribution and small population size make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance in its restricted range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Longitarsus ochroleucus inhabits dry, sandy grasslands and open woodland edges with sparse vegetation where its specific host plants thrive. The species requires undisturbed areas with particular soil conditions and microclimatic features that support both the beetle and its associated plant communities.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Longitarsus ochroleucus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal sand dune environments. The species' extremely limited distribution and small population size make it highly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance in its restricted range.
Coastal development and urbanization
Habitat loss and degradation
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Climate change and sea level rise
Recreation and tourism pressure
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). ljusgul jordloppa (Longitarsus ochroleucus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/ljusgul-jordloppa