Psylliodes hyoscyami (Linnaeus, 1758)
Taxonomy: Polyphaga > Chrysomeloidea > Chrysomelidae > Psylliodes > Psylliodes hyoscyami
Common name:
Henbane Flea Beetle
Description
Size: 2.9-3.5mm
Basic colour: Blackish with blue-green or dark bronze reflection; may appear metallic green or bronze, sometimes coppery or blue-green
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: None
Other colour forms: Sometimes
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: Yellowish to reddish, hind femora dark, front femora mostly yellowish (separating it from P. chalcomera)
Confusion species: Psylliodes chalcomera
Basic colour: Blackish with blue-green or dark bronze reflection; may appear metallic green or bronze, sometimes coppery or blue-green
Pattern colour: None
Number of spots: None
Other colour forms: Sometimes
Pronotoum: As basic colour
Leg colour: Yellowish to reddish, hind femora dark, front femora mostly yellowish (separating it from P. chalcomera)
Confusion species: Psylliodes chalcomera
Palaearctic, including the Middle East and North Africa.
Biology
Status: Last recorded in Oxfordshire in 1930, previously widely scattered in England, south Wales and Scotland (West Lothian); an old record from Ireland. Endangered (RDB1), possibly extinct.
RDB Category: Endangered (RDB1)
Habitat: Disturbed ground, especially on sandy soil - previously on commercial henbane crops.
Host plant: Various Solanaceae, especially henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)
Overwintering: As adults e.g. among long grass near food plants
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae mine leaf-stalks (petioles) and leaf-blades
RDB Category: Endangered (RDB1)
Habitat: Disturbed ground, especially on sandy soil - previously on commercial henbane crops.
Host plant: Various Solanaceae, especially henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)
Overwintering: As adults e.g. among long grass near food plants
Food: Adults on leaves, larvae mine leaf-stalks (petioles) and leaf-blades