Thistle Tortoise Beetle vs Ragwort Flea Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thistle Tortoise Beetle | Ragwort Flea Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cassida rubiginosa | Longitarsus jacobaeae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, introduced to New Zealand and North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thistle Tortoise Beetle
A pale green to yellowish-brown tortoise beetle with a somewhat flattened, circular body. It has been used as a biocontrol agent against invasive thistles in several countries.
Did You Know?
It was deliberately introduced to New Zealand and Canada as a biological control agent to combat invasive thistle species.
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.