# Cabbage-stem flea beetle (*Psylliodes chrysocephala*) The cabbage-stem flea beetle is a tiny bug that loves to munch on cabbage and other plants. With its shiny body and jumping legs, it can hop away quickly when it feels scared! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Cabbage-stem flea beetle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Psylliodes_chrysocephalus_%28Linn%C3%A9%252C_1758%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Udo Schmidt, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Psylliodes_chrysocephalus_%28Linn%C3%A9%252C_1758%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Cabbage-stem flea beetle is a small, oval beetle with a shiny, metallic dark blue or greenish-blue exoskeleton. It has noticeably swollen hind legs, distinguishing it as a jumping beetle, and relatively short antennae. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Chrysomelidae - **Genus:** Psylliodes ## Interesting facts - Farmers have used special sticky traps to count how many of these beetles are around! - Their larvae live secret lives inside plant stems and roots, unseen by most! - These tiny beetles can create hundreds of pin-sized holes in plant leaves! - They sometimes play dead, dropping to the ground perfectly still to fool predators! ## Special abilities - **Spring-Loaded Jump:** Cabbage-stem flea beetle can launch itself into the air using enlarged hind legs that help them escape quickly. - **Metallic Camouflage:** Cabbage-stem flea beetle has a shiny, dark blue-green exoskeleton that helps them blend into foliage and deter predators. - **Hardy Larvae:** Cabbage-stem flea beetle larvae can burrow into plant stems, which helps them feed and stay protected. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 3-4.5 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny plant-eaters love to munch on the leaves and stems of cabbage and related plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae tunnel within plant stems and roots, while adults chew holes in leaves. - **Primary Foods:** Cabbage, Oilseed Rape, Broccoli, Turnip, Radish, Kale - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Cabbage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cabbage) (*Brassica oleracea*) — Adults and larvae feed on the leaves and stems of this plant. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Insectivorous birds, like great tits, feed on these beetles. - **Parasitizes:** Braconid Wasp (*Diospilus morosus*) — This wasp lays its eggs inside the beetle's larvae. - **Eaten by:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders capture Cabbage-stem flea beetles in their webs. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to look at beetles without touching them to keep both you and the beetle safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cabbage-stem flea beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Cabbage-stem flea beetle? 3-4.5 mm ### How long does Cabbage-stem flea beetle live? 60-90 days ### What does Cabbage-stem flea beetle eat? These tiny plant-eaters love to munch on the leaves and stems of cabbage and related plants. ### Where is Cabbage-stem flea beetle usually found? Gardens ### How does Cabbage-stem flea beetle hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Cabbage-stem flea beetle have? 6 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Cabbage-stem flea beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cabbage-stem-flea-beetle)