Phyllotreta
A genus of leaf-eating beetles, in which are included several species, of small size, but of great importance, because of the amount of harm certain of them do to Turnips. Most of the species are partial to some one species or genus of plants, several of them preferring Cruciferae. They were formerly referred to the very large genus Haltica, or Altica, which has been divided, for convenience, into several genera on minor points of structure. The species included in the old genus Haltica have the things of the hind pair of legs much thickened, enabling the beetles to leap considerable distances; and this habit has gained for them their popular name of Turnip Fleas. Like most beetles of the group Chrysomelidae, to which they belong, they have oval bodies, with well-developed, though not very long, legs and antennae. The colour is usually shining black, blue-black, or green-black, with the thorax, head, and limbs, in some, red or brown-red. In a few, the elytra bear yellowish stripes. For injuries done by them, and remedies, see Turnip Flea.