OBSERVATIONS ON HABITS OF THK TURNIP FLEA-BEETLE. 83 



One male and one female of this species received from 

 CiiaDcbamayo, Peru. The tj-pes of both species described here 

 are in the collection of Madame de Horrack-Fournier, of Paris. 

 As some time ago I described in this journal a new Papilio in 

 the collection of Mademoiselle de Horrack, in order to avoid 

 confusion I wish to state that as the names of ladies are not 

 subject to the same strict law of priority as those of butterflies^ 

 that the collections of Mademoiselle de Horrack and Madame de 

 Horrack-Fournier are one and the same. 



OBSEEVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE TURNIP 

 FLEA-BEETLE. 



By T. H. Taylor, M.A. F.E.S. 



The following notes are the outcome of observations made at 

 Garforth and Leeds during the last few years. Flea-beetles are 

 very sensitive to climatic conditions, and if the statements given 

 here differ from LeKeux's dei^cription, it is perhaps because the 

 work was done in a more northerly part of the country. The 

 numerous accounts of these insects which have been published 

 refer chiefly to Phyllotreta nemorum, but, in the Leeds area at 

 least, of the two species usually classed together as the Turnip 

 Flea-beetle, P. undidata is always more abundant than P. 

 nemonim and does far more damage. 



The adult beetles of both species appear to resemble each 

 other very closely in their habits. Having passed through the 

 winter in the dormant condition, they begin to feed again in 

 May and June, favourite plants at this season being horse-radish 

 and, among wild hosts, charlock, but not, so far as noticed, 

 either shepherd's purse or jack-by-the-hedge. After mating, 

 they lay their eggs during June, July, and the first part of 

 August, and, having accomplished this duty, begin to die off, 

 none apparently surviving the autumn. In captivit}', it is true, 

 specimens have lived through a second winter, but under natural 

 conditions it is very doubtful whether this ever happens. 



The new brood of beetles appears in July, August, and 

 September, and, feeding chiefly on the turnip, is in evidence 

 until the weather turns cold. Although nothing approaching a 

 migratory swarm has been witnessed, the beetles when passing 

 to winter quarters in September and October may often be seen 

 alighting en route upon palings, grass-stems, etc. A favourite 

 wintering-place as is well-known is the bark of trees, in the 

 crevices of which they may be found from November to April. 

 In this connection, it may be added, that on one occasion the 

 obvious experiment was tried of exposing pieces of bark in an 



