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| Epitrix sp. - Texas A&M |
There are numerous flea beetle species. All flea beetles are tiny, less than 0.10 inch long, and jump like fleas when disturbed.
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| North Carolina State University |
There are numerous species of flea beetles are found in New Jersey (Table 1). Although there is some overlap of tastes, each type of flea beetle has a preference for particular plants. For example, some flea beetles feed only on potatoes, tomatoes and other members of the nightshade family. Others have a taste for broccoli, cabbage and other cole crops.
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| Systena blanda - Palestriped flea beetle Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, www.insectimages.org |
Natural History
Flea beetles spend the winter in the adult stage, hidden under leaves, dirt clods or in other protected sites. They typically begin to become active during warm days in midspring but may straggle out over several weeks. Many flea beetles are strong fliers and seek out emerging host plants, which they locate by chemical cues the plants produce.
The adults feed for several weeks. Soon the females intersperse feeding with some egg laying. They lay eggs in soil cracks around the base of the plants. The minute, worm-like larvae then move to feed on small roots and root hairs. With the exception of the tuber flea beetle, an occasional pest of potato tubers, larval feeding is not considered to cause significant plant injury. The larval stage is typically completed in about a month. The insects pupate, then emerge from the soil as adults. There may be a second generation during the summer and, with a few species, a third generation.
Dozens of species of flea beetles are found in New Jersey (Table 1). Although there is some overlap of tastes, each type of flea beetle has a decided preference for certain plants. For example, some flea beetles feed only on potatoes, tomatoes and other members of the nightshade family. Others have a taste for broccoli, cabbage and other cole crops.
Although flea beetles are common, injuries often are insignificant to plant health. On established plants, 10 to 20 percent or more of the leaf area must be destroyed before there is any effect on yields. The plants most likely to benefit from treatment are more sensitive seedlings, plants grown for ornamental purposes or for edible greens, and potatoes that may be affected by tuber flea beetle larvae.
As flea beetles feed, they create small rounded, irregular, holes in the leaves, resulting in what is know as a shot hole appearance.
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| Flea beetle damage - University of Arkansas |
Controls
Garden insecticides containing carbaryl (Sevin), spinosad, bifenthrin and permethrin can provide fairly good control for about a week. However, to protect seedlings, applications usually must be reapplied. The plants produce continuous new growth and the highly mobile beetles may rapidly reinvade plantings. As with all pesticides, carefully read and follow all label directions. Pay particular attention to ensure that any flea beetle insecticides being considered are properly registered for use on the plants.
Diatomaceous earth is one of the more effective repellents, applied as a dry powder to the plants. Horticultural oils and some neem insecticides also have some repellent effect on this insect.
| Table 1: Some common flea beetles | ||
| Common name | Scientific names | Host plants, comments |
|---|---|---|
| Cabbage flea beetle | Phyllotreta cruciferae | Wide host range, primarily of cabbage family plants (Cruciferae family). The most damaging species in the state. Two and occasionally three generations are typical. |
| Palestriped flea beetle | Systena blanda | Has the widest host range of all flea beetles including squash, beans, corn, sunflowers, lettuce, potatoes and many weeds. |
| Potato flea beetles | Epitrix cucumeris, E. subcrinita, E. parvula | Tomato, potato and other nightshade family plants. |
| Tobacco flea beetle | Epitrix hirtipennis | Eggplant and some other nightshade family plants. Most common in warmer areas of the state. |
| Tuber flea beetle | Epitrix tuberis | Potatoes. Larvae are associated with tuber injuries. |
| Horseradish flea beetles | Phyllotreta armoraciae, P. albionica | Horseradish, occasionally other mustards. |
| Corn flea beetle | Chaetocnema pulicaria Melscheimer | Corn flea beetles remove remove leaf tissue of corn as they feed and leave long scratch marks on the leaves. |
| *Sumac flea beetle | Blepharida rhois | Currants, sumac, skunkbrush. |
| * Willow flea beetles | Disonycha spp. | Willow. |
| * Species that have larvae that feed on leaves, similar to other leaf beetles | ||
Additional Information
Insect and related pests of vegetables _ North Caroline State University
Vegetable Resources - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Corn flea beetle - University of Illinois IPM
Neem, a Botanical Insecticide - Montana State University
