Bugs on parsnips

[WestHamRon]

Hello everyone,
I have found black bugs/beetles munching on my parsnip leaves. I've never heard of this and have no idea what they are or how to get rid. Is anyone able to help ?
Sorry, I can't provide pictures.
Pics now available.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/ ... C02260.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/ ... C02259.jpg

[Marken]

Not an expert but I think they might be flea beetle? They usually attack brassicas in my patch, but when the plants are sufficiently big they seem to get left alone.

[WestHamRon]

Thanks for your reply, Marken.
My brassicas are right next to these parsnips but have no bugs on them. Also, these things don't jump.

[Chantal]

I don't know what they are, although I have seen them around before.

One thing I am sure of is they are not flea beetle, they're far too big, the leaves aren't full of "shot" holes and as you say, they're not jumping.

[Geoff]

My insect book has lots of leaf beetles, none seem to quite fit the picture but the descriptions say helpful things like "golden green to bluish or purplish green". Cryptocephalus family seem to be the metallic looking ones but they seem to like Hawkweeds, much of that nearby? You could wander the web looking for this family album!

[heyjude]

I've had the same thing on sorrel - black grubs and then shiny green/black beetles. No idea what they are. I squashed them and have only seen tiny numbers since, but I'd like to know what they are and what else might get attacked.