Turnip Flea Beetle vs Australian Sheep Blowfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Turnip Flea Beetle Australian Sheep Blowfly
Scientific Name Phyllotreta nemorum Calliphora augur
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Chrysomelidae Calliphoridae
Size 3-4 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Seed Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Europe Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Turnip Flea Beetle

A small, shiny black beetle with a broad yellow longitudinal stripe on each elytron. It is a significant pest of turnips, swedes, and oilseed rape in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Spring populations can reach such high densities that entire fields of brassica seedlings can be destroyed within days of germination.

Australian Sheep Blowfly

A large, dark blue blow fly endemic to Australia with a distinctive orange face and cheeks. It is one of the earliest colonizers of carrion in Australian conditions and is used in forensic entomology. Occasionally it contributes to secondary blowfly strike in sheep.

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Did You Know?

Its bright orange face distinguishes it from other blue blow flies and makes it one of the most recognizable forensic indicator species in Australia.