Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle - Psylliodes chrysocephala

Length 3 to 4.7 mm. A rather variable flea beetle. The elytra may vary in colour from dark blue or green through to black, though the typical form is dark metallic blue. Variety anglica is yellow to pale brown. It has the thickened thighs that are typical of flea beetles.

• hind tarsus joins the tibia before the end (all Psylliodes)
• 3.4-4.7mm, elongate oval
• head brown
• pronotum with only fine punctures
• epipleura with fine hairs along the basal third (view from the side)

Feeds on plants in the Brassica family including Cabbages and Oil-seed Rape but can be found on almost any vegetation.

April to November, but peaking August to October.

The adults chew holes in the leaves. The larvae usually mine the lower petioles, moving from ageing to healthy tissue, but will move to the stem and destroy the growing point if larval numbers are large or if the rosette is poorly developed.

Widespread and common, particularly in the southern half of Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

www.ukbeetles.co.uk/psylliodes-chrysocephala