Turnip Flea Beetle vs Coppery Tunneler
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Turnip Flea Beetle | Coppery Tunneler |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phyllotreta nemorum | Onthophagus ferox |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Africa, introduced to 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.
Did You Know?
Spring populations can reach such high densities that entire fields of brassica seedlings can be destroyed within days of germination.
Coppery Tunneler
A small, coppery-brown tunneling dung beetle native to Africa, now established in Australia. Males have a pair of backward-curving horns. It is active during summer and autumn and is an efficient processor of cattle dung.
Did You Know?
Introduced to Australia in the 1970s, it has become one of the most abundant dung beetles in subtropical Queensland.