274 VEGETABLE FOES AND DISEASES 



natural order. Of these, Phyllotreta undulata is the 

 most common, being rather smaller than P. nemorum, 

 and the stripes on the wing-cases are somewhat dif- 

 ferently arranged. Phyllotreta concinna is the next 

 common, being brass coloured. Other species have 

 also been noticed as feeding on seedling Turnips, one 

 kind being black and dark blue above, and another 

 bright blue above and not so black beneath. All are 

 alike in their mode of life and manner of doing harm 

 and all must be combated. 



During winter the Turnip Flea beetles harbour 

 under bark and other material connected with hedge- 

 rows and their plants, amongst fallen leaves, under 

 clods of earth, stubble, in heaps of collected weeds and 

 long strawy manure, whence they come out in fine days 

 to " sun " themselves. On the return of spring and 

 the bursting forth of vegetation into renewed life, and 

 till the cultivated crops are ready for them they are to 

 be found feeding on such common Cruciferous plants 

 as Charlock, Shepherd's Purse, and Jack-by- the- Hedge, 

 and from these pass to the better " feed " of cultivated 

 crops of the same order by great leaps and swift flights. 



Prevention. i. As wild Cruciferous plants, especi- 

 ally Charlock, encourage the flea beetles and furnish 

 them with food until the Turnip or other crops are 

 sown and ready for them in gardens and fields, it is 

 important that the weeds be kept down. 



2. Provide a fine tilth or seed-bed, as the " flies" 

 are most destructive on cloddy soil ; besides, they do 

 not like moisture, which naturally helps the young 



