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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Tobacco flea beetle adult.

Cucurbits

Flea Beetles

Scientific Names: Epitrix spp.

(Reviewed 11/05, updated 6/08)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Flea beetle adults are small, ranging in size from 0.06 to 0.12 inch (1.5 to 3 mm) long. These insects derive their name from their well-developed hind legs; when disturbed they jump like fleas.

DAMAGE

Adult beetles chew small holes in leaves, giving them a sievelike appearance. The small, slender, white larvae feed on underground parts of the plant. On rare occasions, flea beetles may feed directly on ripe fruit, just below the calyx. This damage is usually seen only in late season plantings that show extreme foliar stress resulting from lack of water or powdery mildew.

MANAGEMENT

Eliminate plant stress from insufficient moisture and powdery mildew. If field monitoring at the time of ripening shows feeding signs on fruit, base treatment decisions on the severity of damage.

Common name Amount/Acre R.E.I.+ P.H.I.+
(trade name)   (hours) (days)
When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to water quality and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
 
A. CARBARYL*
  (Sevin) 80S 1.25 lb 12 3
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
  COMMENTS: Observe plant response precautions listed on label. Avoid excessive applications. Highly toxic to honey bees.
 
  (Sevin) 10 Dust 5-10 lbs 12 3
  COMMENTS: Observe plant response precautions. Avoid excessive applications. Highly toxic to honey bees.
 
B. ENDOSULFAN*
  (Thionex) 3EC 0.66–1.33 qt 24 2
  (Thionex) 50WP 1–2 lb 24 2
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 2A
  COMMENTS: Do not exceed 3 applications/year. Observe all precautions on label when applying this material. Moderately toxic to honey bees.
 
C. METHOMYL*
  (Lannate) 90SP 0.5–1.0 lb 48 1 (0.5 lb or less)
        3 (more than 0.5 lb)
  (Lannate) LV 1.5–3 pt 48 1 (1.5 pt or less)
        3 (more than 1.5 pt)
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
  COMMENTS: Labeled for use on cucumbers, melons, and summer squash only. Use on pumpkins allowed under a Special Local Needs label. Highly toxic to honey bees.
 
D. CRYOLITE
  (Kryocide) 96W 8–12 lb 12 Summer squash: 7
        Winter squash, cucumber, melons, pumpkins: 14
 
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 9A
  COMMENTS: Labeled for use on cucumber, squash, melons, and pumpkins. Can be applied as a spray or dust. Thorough coverage using ground equipment is necessary for adequate control. Do not apply immediately before harvest. Remove excess residues on edible portions by washing, brushing, or other effective means. Effectiveness of this material is lower than materials listed above.
  . . . or . . .
  (Prokil Cryolite 96) 10–16 lb 12 Summer squash: 7
        Cantaloupe, watermelon,
        winter squash: 14
  COMMENTS: Labeled for use on cantaloupe, squash, and watermelon. Applied as a spray. Thorough coverage using ground equipment is necessary for adequate control. Do not apply immediately before harvest. Remove excess residues on edible portions by washing, brushing, or other effective means. Effectiveness of this material is lower than materials listed above.
 
+ Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1 Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cucurbits
UC ANR Publication 3445
Insects and Mites
E. T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension, Imperial County
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis
C. G. Summers, Entomology, UC Davis/Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. J. Stapleton, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultultural Center, Parlier
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
R. L. Coviello, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
C. B. Fouche, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
J. B. LeBoeuf, AgriData Sensing, Inc., Fresno
M. Murray, UC Cooperative Extension, Colusa/Glenn counties

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