OCCURRENCE OF SOME FLEA BEETLE PESTS OF PARKLAND RAPESEED CROPS IN OPEN PRAIRIE AND FOREST IN SASKATCHEWAN (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), an abundant pest in the parklands, is moderately abundant on the open prairie, less common in the southern parts of the boreal forest, and absent elsewhere in the forest. Phyllotreta albionica LeC. occurs in low numbers in parkland and prairie, and is rare in the forest. Phyllotreta robusta (LeC) occurs in low numbers in the parkland, is rare on the prairie, and was not found in the forest. Psylliodes punctulata Melsh., which has a moderately low population in the parkland, occurs in similar numbers on the prairie and perhaps also in the forest. P. cruciferae will likely cause problems in any cruciferous crops grown on the open prairie and eventually in cruciferous crops in newly-cleared forest areas.