Turnip Flea Beetle vs California Harvester Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Turnip Flea Beetle California Harvester Ant
Scientific Name Phyllotreta nemorum Pogonomyrmex californicus
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Formicidae
Size 3-4 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Deserts & Drylands
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Europe North America
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.

California Harvester Ant

A small harvester ant found in hot deserts of the American Southwest. Colonies are often founded by groups of cooperating queens.

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Did You Know?

Multiple unrelated queens can found a single colony together, then fight to the death until only one remains.