Mint Flea Beetle
Longitarsus ferrugineus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Chrysomelidae
Genus
Longitarsus
Mint Flea Beetle belongs to the family Chrysomelidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Mint Flea Beetle faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development that destroys its specialized mint-rich environments. Pesticide use in agricultural areas and climate change impacts on its host plants further threaten remaining populations, while its narrow ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Specialized habitats supporting wild and cultivated mint species (Mentha spp.), including wetland margins, stream banks, damp meadows, and traditional herb gardens. The species requires areas with consistent moisture and abundant mint vegetation for both feeding and reproduction.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Mint Flea Beetle faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development that destroys its specialized mint-rich environments. Pesticide use in agricultural areas and climate change impacts on its host plants further threaten remaining populations, while its narrow ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Pesticide contamination in agricultural areas
Urban development and land conversion
Climate change impacts on host plant availability
Loss of traditional farming practices supporting mint cultivation
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
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). Mint Flea Beetle (Longitarsus ferrugineus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/mint-flea-beetle