Psylliodes napi

(Fabricius, 1792)

turnip flea beetle, cabbage-stem flea beetle

Psylliodes napi is a flea beetle in the Chrysomelidae, widely distributed across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The is associated with brassicaceous plants and is recognized as an agricultural pest of turnip and related crops. Two are recognized: P. n. napi and P. n. flavicornis.

Psylliodes napi, Bala lakeshore, North Wales, Oct 2014 - Flickr - janetgraham84 by Janet Graham. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Chaetocnema aridula (09) by Die Käfer des Deutschen Reiches. (1908). Used under a Public domain license.Psylliodes napi (Fabricius, 1792) (15540948434) by Udo Schmidt from Deutschland. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Psylliodes napi: /sɪˈlaɪ.oʊdiːz ˈneɪpaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Psylliodes by association with brassicaceous ; are small flea beetles with enlarged hind adapted for jumping. Specific diagnostic features for field identification from are not well documented in available sources.

Images

Habitat

Associated with brassicaceous vegetation including cultivated crops and wild relatives; specific microhabitat preferences are not documented.

Distribution

Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China); North America.

Diet

Larvae mine stems, roots, and leaves of brassicaceous plants; feed on leaves.

Behavior

possess enlarged hind enabling -like jumping, characteristic of the .

Ecological Role

Herbivore on brassicaceous plants; agricultural pest status indicates potential economic impact on cultivated crops.

Human Relevance

Agricultural pest of turnip and related brassicaceous crops.

Similar Taxa

  • Psylliodes chrysocephalaAlso a brassicaceous-feeding flea beetle with similar and agricultural pest status; distinguished by subtle morphological differences and preferences.
  • Psylliodes luridipennisLundy Cabbage Flea Beetle, to Lundy Island and restricted to Coincya wrightii; distribution and endemic plant separate it from widespread P. napi.

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Sources and further reading