Phyllotreta punctulata (Marsham, 1802)
Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Phyllotreta > Phyllotreta punctulata
Description
Size: 1.6-2mm
Basic colour: Dark/black(ish), sometimes with a weak bronze reflection.
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Confusion species: Phyllotreta atra
, Confusion species: Phyllotreta diademata
Basic colour: Dark/black(ish), sometimes with a weak bronze reflection.
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: As basic colour
Confusion species: Phyllotreta atra
, Confusion species: Phyllotreta diademata
Western Palaearctic, including Morocco and the Caucasus; introduced into North America.
In the Atlas of British & Irish species (Cox 2007), known as P. aerea.
Biology
Status: Scattered and local in southern and midland England & south and east Wales. Not recorded from Scotland, old records from Ireland. Scarce (Notable B)
Habitat: Saltmarsh, disturbed and cultivated land, gardens, woodland, railway land.
Host plant: Usually on Brassicaceae, sometimes also beet (Beta vulgaris) and weld (Reseda luteola)
Overwintering: Probably as adults
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae probably at roots.
Other notes: Adults parasitised by a nematode Howardula sp.
Habitat: Saltmarsh, disturbed and cultivated land, gardens, woodland, railway land.
Host plant: Usually on Brassicaceae, sometimes also beet (Beta vulgaris) and weld (Reseda luteola)
Overwintering: Probably as adults
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae probably at roots.
Other notes: Adults parasitised by a nematode Howardula sp.