Flea Beetles
Description
Adult: About 3 mm long, adults have small dark metallic bodies and enlarged hind legs that enable them to jump long distances (hence the name “flea”). Some adult flea beetle species are striped.
Egg: Elliptical in shape, and white to yellowish gray, eggs are laid in clusters or singly in the soil at the base of host plants.
Larva: Larvae are small, white, and worm-like with a brown head.
Pupa: Small and cream to white; they pupate in the soil.
Life History
Flea beetles overwinter as adults in protected areas under soil clods, plant debris, and weeds. They emerge from overwintering sites in mid to late spring, and mated females lay eggs in the soil at the base of host plants. Larvae feed on below ground portions of the plant. Pupation then takes place in the soil, and adults emerge to feed on aboveground plant parts. One to three generations of flea beetles are possible, depending on the species of flea beetle and temperatures.
Damage
Adults will chew holes in leaves and larvae can reduce plant health by feeding on roots and fine root hairs, but both of these types of injuries do not usually cause economic loss. However, some species, such as the tuber flea beetle, may cause significant damage in potato tubers. Tuber flea beetle larvae feed on roots, underground stems, and tubers. Tuber feeding results in small brown tunnels in the tuber and a pimpled surface. Severe tuber feeding can leave potatoes unmarketable for the fresh and processing markets. Tunnels will be filled with insect frass (excrement) that may stain the potato skin and flesh.
Management
Cultural
- Avoid planting susceptible crops after potatoes. Crop rotations are generally ineffective against flea beetles because of their extreme mobility; however, potato tuber flea beetle populations tend to be greater in areas where potatoes were previously planted. Thus, it is important to avoid planting highly susceptible crops after potatoes.
More Information
How to Spot and Control Flea Beetles