Tansy Ragwort Flea Beetle

Longitarsus jacobaeae

Date First Recorded in the Garden: 30/08/2021

Family Chrysomelidae – Leaf Beetles

A large family of Beetles with around 40,000 species described and about 250 species known in the UK. A family of plant eating (phytophagous) insects, with both adults and larva consuming plant tissues.

Tansy Ragwort Flea Beetle – Longitarsus jacobaeae

This species is apparently used in the biological control of Common Ragwort, which is classed as a injurious weed and there are legal requirements to prevent its spread onto neighbouring land. The larva dig down and attack the roots of Ragwort, whilst the adults chomp happily on the above ground parts.

In the Garden

Still just the one sighting of this species. Ragwort is present in the garden, we typically get two or three plants appear most years, so no reason to believe we have seen the last of this particular beetle.