How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

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.

Start monitoring after transplanting or when seedlings emerge. During stand establishment flea beetles can damage seedlings and may require an insecticide application. 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)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy, pesticide registrations, information related to natural enemies and honey bees, and environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read the label of the product being used.
A.	ACETAMIPRID
	(Assail 30SG)	2.5–5.3 oz	12	0
	(Assail 70 WP)	1.1–2.3 oz	12	0
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A
B.	CARBARYL*
	(Sevin XLR Plus)	1 qt	12	3
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	COMMENTS: Observe plant response precautions listed on label. Avoid excessive applications.
C.	METHOMYL*
	(Lannate 90)	0.5–1 lb	48	see comments
	(Lannate LV)	1.5–3 pt	48	see comments
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	COMMENTS: Labeled for use on cucumbers, melons, and summer squash. Highly toxic to bees. PHI is 1 day when 0.5 lb or less for 90SP or 1.5 pt or less for LV formulations is used; when more than 0.5 lb (90SP) or 1.5 pt (LV) is used, PHI is 3 days.
D.	CRYOLITE
	(Kryocide 96W)	8–12 lb	12	see comments
	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. PHI is 7 days for summer squash and 14 days for winter squash, cucumber, melons, and pumpkins.
	. . . or . . .
	(Prokil Cryolite 96)	10–16 lb	12	see comments
	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. PHI is 7 days for summer squash and 14 days for winter squash, cantaloupe, and watermelon.
E.	PYRETHRIN#
	(PyGanic EC 1.4)	16 oz	12	0
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3
	COMMENTS: Buffer final spray to a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
F.	ENDOSULFAN*
	(Thionex 3EC)	0.66–1.33 qt	see label	see label
	(Thionex 50WP)	1–2 lb	see label	see label
	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.
+	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.
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/.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
#	Acceptable for organically grown produce.

PUBLICATION

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

Top of page