THE TURNIP-FLEA 39 



the resistance is suddenly overcome, the spine enters the 

 socket with a choking noise, the body is flexed, and 

 the bases of the wing-covers strike the ground suddenly and 

 sharply, so that the body is jerked into the air to a height of 

 several inches. After one or two leaps the beetle generally 

 regains its usual walking attitude. It is possible that this 

 mechanism is not only used for righting the body, but also for 

 escaping from enemies. 



The destruction caused by wire - worms has stimulated 

 many efforts to keep their numbers down. 

 Gas lime has been ploughed into the soil; 

 harrowing, rolling, and trampling by sheep 

 have been recommended, especially in March 

 and April, when the beetles are appearing. 

 Slices of potato or mangold, and pieces 

 of rape-cake have been successfully used 

 as traps in hop-grounds; they should be 

 plainly marked and frequently examined 

 (not less than once a week). Rape is ^-^ .9. -upper 

 attractive to wire -worms, and a mixture figure, maxiuary palp 

 of rape sown with wheat, etc., or rape-dust ^^'^^'S^^'^L'^^e" 

 scattered broadcast, will often save the crop. °f thorax, with spine 

 The pest is, however, encouraged thereby. °° " ^'S""'" ■ 

 Rooks, plovers, starlings, and various other birds devour 

 great numbers of wire-worms. 



8. THE TUKNIP-FLEA (Phyllotreta nemorum). 



The Turnip-Flea or Turnip Flea-beetle, which is one of 

 two or three insects called turnip - fly, is a small active 

 creature, which infests turnip-fields in vast multitudes, especi- 

 ally on dry soil and in times of drought. It may be recog- 

 nised by its leaping powers, which suffice to raise it a foot 

 or more in the air. The faculty of leaping is associated, as 

 in grasshoppers, with thickened muscular thighs on the hind 

 legs. Thousands of flea-beetles descending upon the leaves 

 make a sound like the patter of summer rain. Another mark 

 of the turnip flea-beetle is the broad yellowish stripe which runs 

 lengthwise upon each wing-cover. There are, apparently, only 

 four joints in each tarsus, and the body is only 3 mm. long. 



