TURNIP FLEAS. 161 



to the enormous family of the Halticidae, the members 

 of which, though individually small and insignificant, 

 collectively exercise very great influence upon the 

 agriculture of our country. One of these insects is 

 shown beneath, and is one of several Beetles which are 

 known by the popular name of TURNIP-FLEAS or 

 HOPPERS. It is called scientifically Phyllotreta (or 

 Haltica] brassicce. 



All the Halticidae can be distinguished by the very 

 thick hinder femora, which denote the possession of 

 great leaping powers on the part of 

 the insect. The antennae are set be- 

 tween the eyes, and the edges of the 

 elytra are wavy. They are attached 

 to different plants, and are so constant 

 to them that their specific names are 

 often taken from their food-plant. 

 The colour of the present species is 

 deep-black, and there ai*e two longi- 

 tudinal yellow streaks upon each of 



. . , . Phyllotreta brassicae. 



the elytra, one near the base, and the 

 other towards the apex. The body is egg-shaped, 

 and the elytra are rounded at their tips. It is about 

 the smallest species of the genus. 



The true Turnip-flea is another species, called 

 Phyllotreta nemorum, the colour of which is black, with 

 a broad longitudinal yellow streak running nearly, but 

 not quite, to the end of the elytra. Both in the larval 

 and perfect stages this insect is extremely damaging 

 to the turnips, feeding upon the first tender shoots as 

 they appear above the ground, and so destroying the 

 whole plant. Sometimes they will devastate a field 



M 



