Phyllotreta nigripes (Fabricius, 1775)

Taxonomy

  • Polyphaga
  • Chrysomeloidea
  • Chrysomelidae
  • Phyllotreta
  • Phyllotreta nigripes

Description

Size: 1.9-2.8mm
Basic colour: Dark with a metallic blue to green reflection
Pattern colour: None (finer punctures on the head, pronotum & elytra separate it from the similar P. consobrina, as do features of antennal segments and the aedeagus).
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Confusion species: Phyllotreta consobrina

Palaearctic, including North Africa.

Biology

Status: Widespread in England, rare in wales, a few old records in Scotland and Ireland. May be expanding its range/abundance.
Habitat: Various
Host plant: Various, mainly Brassicaceae but also other families.
Overwintering: As adults in moss and grass tussocks, under bark and among roots in refuse heaps.
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae on roots
Other notes: Adults parasitised by the nematode Howardula phyllotretae, and parasitised by swifts and martins.

Distribution (may take a minute to appear)

Distribution Map