Flea Beetles

Chrysomelidae: Alticini

Flea Beetles is a tribe-level leaf-feeding umbrella associated with brassicas, eggplant, tomato, potato, herbs, ornamentals, and weeds. Adults create shot holes that can destroy seedlings or downgrade leafy crops. Adult and larval injury are evaluated separately.

Identification

Tiny shiny adults jump with enlarged hind legs. Species vary in color and host range; larvae usually feed on roots or mine tissue. Approach seedlings slowly, inspect cotyledons and young leaves, and collect jumping adults on a white card. Root larvae and internal feeders usually require specimens.

Symptoms / Signs

Adults create shot holes that can destroy seedlings or downgrade leafy crops. Fresh larval injury includes live grubs, tunnels, root pruning, or internal feeding. Old scars do not prove activity.

Life Cycle / Process

Flea Beetles lays eggs near host roots or in soil. Larvae feed and pupate belowground; adults chew aboveground.

Prevention

Inspect incoming stock above and below ground. Remove culls, volunteer hosts, spilled seed, and infested root balls where relevant to Flea Beetles.

Management / Control

Use clean transplants, weed control, early row cover, and crop-specific treatment only when seedling loss or market damage warrants it. Recheck adult and larval injury separately.

Procedure Steps

1. Inspect the plant part used by adults and the habitat used by larvae. 2. Collect adults and larvae with host data. 3. Separate adult chewing from larval root or internal injury. 4. Close the Flea Beetles incident after fresh injury declines.

Safety Notes

Protect food, seed, packaging, workers, and Myco-Patrons during inspection and treatment. Use tamper-resistant placements where baits or traps are necessary, and keep pesticides off food-contact surfaces. Structural or termite work may require a licensed Florida pest-control operator.