MUSTARD BEETLES. 
78 
“I send you specimens of insects which are now apparently 
destroying my Mustard on that part of the field where the seed-bed 
was not properly prepared; they are not to be found elsewhere.”— 
E. C. Catling. 
[Three distinct kinds of the beetles, commonly known as Flea- 
beetles, were sent accompanying. —Ed.] Eight days later (that is, on 
the 16th of May) it was further reported that the beetles had greatly 
disappeared, owing to the deluges of rain which had occurred, and 
previously to this a dressing of liquid superphosphate had been applied. 
The Flea-beetles are easily distinguishable from Mustard beetles by 
their tremendous leaping powers, and often by having a yellow stripe 
along their dark green or blackish wing-cases. 
The accompanying figure shows the enlarged thighs, suitable for 
leaping with, which are one chief mark of this family of beetles, and 
also gives a general idea of their shape. 
The P. undulata, which I found on Mustard, differs from the kind 
figured above in having the shanks reddish yellow only at the base, 
whereas the shanks of nemorum are entirely reddish yellow ; but the 
two kinds are very like each other, and very common.* 
The habits of Turnip Fly, like those of Mustard Beetle, are to 
shelter during winter in any convenient place, and come out again in 
spring, and (as we know) attack the seed-leaves (and others, if tender) 
of Turnip, Cabbage, or allied plants; but Mustard is especially sought 
by it, as is shown by the practice in some places of mixing Mustard 
with Turnip seed to draw off the fly. The same methods of good 
cultivation and manuring, which are suitable for pushing on vigorous 
growth both of the Turnip and Mustard (and which are especially 
advised in the previous pages by good growers as a means of keeping 
it free of the Mustard Beetle), would be an important help against 
Flea-beetle ; and a large part of the treatment advised by Turnip 
