Phyllotreta vittula (Redtenbacher, 1849)

Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Phyllotreta > Phyllotreta vittula

Common name: 

Barley Flea Beetle

Description

Size: 1.8-2.3mm
Basic colour: Black and yellow
Pattern colour: Elytra black with longitudinal yellow bands
Number of spots: None
Pronotoum: Black, usually with a metallic blue or green reflection.
Leg colour: Yellowish to brownish, femora (and sometimes other parts) darkened.
Confusion species: Phyllotreta undulata

Palaearctic, including North Africa; introduced into USA.

Biology

Status: Widespread but local in southern England, scarce in Wales, a few old records in NW England, Scotland (unconfirmed) and Ireland.
Habitat: Various
Host plant: Various Brassicaceae and Poaceae (grasses), also beet (Beta vulgaris)
Overwintering: As adults in moss, leaf litter and rotten wood (and may remain active on the surface)
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae on roots
Other notes: Adults parasitised by braconid wasps Perilitus terminalis and P. bicolor, and the nematode Howardula phyllotretae.

Distribution (may take a minute to appear)