HPIPM:Potato Flea beetles

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Order	Coleoptera
Suborder	Polyphaga
Infraorder	Cucujiformia
Superfamily	Chrysomeloidea
Family	Chrysomelidae
Subfamily	Galerucinae
Tribe	Alticini
Genus	Epitrix

Scientific Name

Epitrix tuberis

Common Name

tuber flea beetle

Author: Whitney S. Cranshaw

Identification (and life cycle/seasonal history)

The flea beetles common to potato are small, black beetles. On close inspection they are slightly hairy and the wing covers are not shiny as occurs on many other common flea beetles (e.g., western black flea beetle on cabbage family plants). The adult stage is the wintering stage which presumably survives during the cold months under crop debris and in sheltered areas around the field edge.

Adults fly readily and can disperse long distances. They are attracted to potatoes and related plants and feed on the leaves, chewing shallow pits in the upper leaf surface. Eggs are laid in soil cracks at the base of the plants and larvae develop on root hairs. Damage by most flea beetle larvae is insignificant. However, larvae of the tuber flea beetle will also feed on tubers, chewing shallow tunnels into the skin.

Nightshade family plants are the only known hosts of the potato flea beetle and tuber flea beetle. Tomatoes are the other crop most commonly damaged by these insects.

Plant Response to Damage

Flea beetle adults chew small pits in foliage, producing a "shothole" symptom. Defoliation is almost always minor and plants readily grow out the the injury without permanent effects on later yield. Very high populations shortly after plants emerge can retard growth.

Unlike other potato-infesting flea beetles, larvae of the tuber flea beetle will chew on tubers. The larvae are small and create only tiny pits in the surface of the tuber. However, appearance is affected as injuries appear scabby.

Natural Controls

No natural controls signficantly affect flea beetles present in potato fields.

Cultural Controls

Rotation of fields can assist in control of flea beetles. Adults winter around field edges of previously infested fields and may fly long distances, but are less likely to infested if distance to previous potato fields increases.

Chemical Control

Potato flea beetles are readily controlled with a wide variety of insecticides.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.