Turnip Flea Beetle Phyllotreta nigripes

I swept this from Elder. The precise form of the puncturing on the frons and elytra were key to the identification of this individual. You can also see the reticulation of the elytral microsculpture very easily. As far as I know the spermatheca isn't useful for identification, but as I had to dissect it to sex it (there may be an easier way but I don't know it) I might as well include a picture of it.

female Phyllotreta nigripes showing its head puncturing, elyral puncturing and microscultpure and spermatheca, North Elmham Cathedral Meadows (Norfolk, UK), 19th April 2021

This one came to light in my garden.

female Phyllotreta nigripes showing head and pronotum, elytra and spermatheca, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 20th September 2025

This one was found in Polytrichum moss. Having only identified the one above a few days earlier I knew immediately that it was probably this species but when I examined it more closely doubts began to set in. The puncturing on the head was less extensive, more-or-less restricted to a broad band between the eyes. This suggested Phyllotreta diademata, a species that I don't think has been recorded in Norfolk, but reading the description of that species it clearly didn't match. Continuing through the key, nigripes was after all the only feasible option, but I checked the genitalia just to remove any doubt.

male Phyllotreta nigripes showing pronotum, head, elytra and aedeagus (flat and side views), Ling Plantation, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 23rd February 2026