Flea Beetle

insect

Various (Alticini tribe)

Tiny jumping beetles that create shothole damage on leaves, especially on brassicas and eggplant.

Identification

1/16 to 1/8 inch shiny black, bronze, or striped beetles that jump when disturbed. Shothole damage pattern.

Tiny round holes in leaves (shothole pattern). Heavy damage on seedlings can kill plants. Adults feed on leaves, larvae on roots.

Row covers on seedlings. Diatomaceous earth. Neem oil. Sticky traps. Kaolin clay spray (Surround).

Carbaryl (Sevin). Pyrethrin.

Row covers until plants are established. Delay spring planting until warm. Heavy mulch. Trap cropping with radishes.

Data confidence: medium | Source: curated_ipm