Seasonal development
and life cycle—Flea beetles
Adult flea beetles overwinter in weeds or debris and fly into potato-growing areas in spring. Flea beetles
lay very small eggs in the soil around the plant, on the leaves, or in cavities hollowed out in the stems.
The larvae are small, slender, white, and wormlike and usually attack the roots but may also feed on
foliage.
Depending on the species, they rarely cause significant damage except on potato tubers, where they create
tunnels in the flesh of tubers. The larval stage may last up to a month. Flea beetles pupate in the soil.
There are one or two generations a year. |
Tuber flea beetle larva |
Flea
beetle adult |
Flea
beetle pupa |
|
