Species: Flea Beetle - unnamed 2 (Longitarsus dorsalis)
Family: Flea or leaf beetles (CHRYSOMELIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: One Sighting
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Flea or leaf beetles (CHRYSOMELIDAE)
Flea beetles, also known as Leaf beetles, cover between 40,000 and 50,000 different species of small beetles which are grouped into numerous sub-families. No single characteristic defines this family of insects. As with other beetles, the life-cycle includes larvae and adults, both of which feed on plant tissue. Many are pests of crops.
C. Flea Beetle - unnamed 2 (Longitarsus dorsalis)
These beetles are very small - no longer than 2 or 3 millimetres. They have black heads with a brown pronotum (the section of the body just behind the head). Seen sideways on, the dark wing casings (the elytra) have broad yellow margins. Most adults can fly well, and are present all year-round, although they are more active from March to September.
These beetles feed on the leaves and roots of Groundsel and Ragwort.
They are found in southern Britain.
Images
Flea Beetle - unnamed 2 (Longitarsus dorsalis)
These beetles feed on the leaves and roots of Groundsel and Ragwort.
(Photo credit: Stuart MA Ball.)
