Large Striped Flea Beetle - Phyllotreta nemorum

It has the enlarged hind femora that enable it to jump 'flea-like'. Its black elytra are marked with broad straw yellow longitudinal stripes.  It is very similar to P. undulata  - images in red boxes have not been microscopically examined and can only be said to be representative of P. nemorum.

It is a pest of brassicas including turnips, the adults feeding mainly on seedlings, leaving them riddled with holes. For this reason it is often found in agricultural fields where brassicas are grown, but also in gardens etc.

Spring to late autumn when the adults hibernate.

Adults hibernate and emerge in spring to breed and lay their eggs. The larvae tunnel in leaves and become new adults in the autumn.

Fairly common and widespread in England and Wales, but fewer records from Scotland.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 10 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.