Ragwort Flea Beetle vs Swede Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ragwort Flea Beetle | Swede Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Longitarsus jacobaeae | Contarinia nasturtii |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Cecidomyiidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 1.5-2 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ragwort Flea Beetle
A small black flea beetle that feeds on ragwort plants. Successfully used as a biological control agent for invasive ragwort in Australia and New Zealand. Larvae mine in roots.
Did You Know?
One of the most successful biological control agents ever used, dramatically reducing ragwort in multiple countries.
Swede Midge
A minute yellowish-brown gall midge that attacks brassica crops by distorting growing points. Its tiny larvae feed inside developing buds, causing characteristic twisted and swollen growth.
Did You Know?
It was first detected in North America in 2000 and has since become a major emerging pest of brassica crops.