Flea Beetle, Eggplant
Shiny black beetles less than 1/8" long that hop like fleas.
Adults spend the winter under plant residue along tree lines or in the field. In the early spring they feed on horse nettle, pokeweed or other solanaceous weeds until they move to eggplant, potato or tomato, where they feed until August.
Numerous tiny feeding "shot holes" can injure leaves and stunt or kill plants, especially seedlings.
Management practices include clean cultivation, crop rotation, removing or avoiding spring weed hosts, use of row covers, and applying spot treatments targeting eggplants along the field edges. Treat newly set transplants if they have 2 flea beetles per plant, seedlings 3" to 6" tall if they have greater than 4 beetles per plant, and plants over 6" tall if they have 8 beetles per plant. Full size plants rarely require treatment for flea beetles. Most insecticides registered to control CPB, including spinosad, will control FB.
For Current information on production methods (including varieties, spacing, seeding, and fertility), weed, disease, and insect management, please visit the New England Vegetable Management Guide website.
Identifying and Enhancing Natural Enemies in Vegetable Crops
Insects
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