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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Peppers
Flea Beetles
Scientific names:
Palestriped flea beetle: Systena blanda
Potato flea beetle: Epitrix cucumeris
Western potato flea beetle: Epitrix subcrinita
Striped flea beetle: Phyllotreta striolata
Western black flea beetle: Phyllotreta pusilla
Western striped flea beetle: Phyllotreta ramosa
and other species
(Reviewed 12/09,
updated 12/09)
In this Guideline:
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Flea
beetle adults are small (about 0.125 inch long), shiny, hard beetles with
enlarged hind legs that allow them to jump. Different species vary in color and
markings. Larvae live primarily in the soil, although larvae in a few of the
species may mine leaves or plant stems. Larvae are pale yellow to white with
short legs and dark, hard heads. Older larvae may resemble small wireworms.
Adult
flea beetles feed on the undersides of leaves leaving small pits or irregularly shaped holes on the
leaves. Large populations can kill or stunt seedlings. Older plants rarely
suffer economic damage although their older, lower leaves may be damaged.
Adults do most of the damage. Most flea beetle larvae feed on roots, but this
activity is not usually of economic concern in peppers.
Flea
beetles are common seedling pests and monitoring newly emerged seedlings is
critical for detecting a damaging population. Weed control around the field and
using transplants also help to minimize damage by these pests.
Cultural
Control
Remove
weeds along field margins and deeply disk plant residue in infested fields
after harvest. Pay particular attention to cruciferous (Brassicaceae) weeds and
crops such as canola, which are common hosts from which beetles can migrate
into pepper fields. Transplanting peppers usually avoids the problem unless
beetle populations are extremely high.
Organically
Acceptable Methods
Cultural
controls and sprays of pyrethrin are acceptable for use on organically
certified produce.
Monitoring
and Treatment Decisions
Check newly emerged seedlings for flea beetle damage at least twice weekly
until plants are well established. Relatively low populations can cause
economic damage when plants are in the cotyledon or first-leaf stages. Once
plants have five leaves they can tolerate several beetles per plant without
damage. Older plants are even more tolerant. Seedling pepper plants and young
transplants do not tolerate flea beetle damage well, and they may be killed if
the weather is especially hot, dry, and windy. Damage is generally greater to
seedlings than to transplants. Monitor for flea beetles soon after
transplanting or after plants emerge. Treat for flea beetles when small holes
show on seedlings or on new transplants. The percentage of plants affected and
forecasted weather conditions will indicate the need to treat. Once
established, plants can overcome moderate flea beetle feeding. If flea beetles
are migrating to the pepper field, spot treatment of outside rows or borders
may be sufficient. Baits are not effective. One insecticide treatment is
usually all that is required.
| Common name |
Amount/Acre** |
R.E.I.+ |
P.H.I.+ |
| (trade name) |
|
(hours) |
(days) |
|
| When choosing a pesticide, consider
information relating to impact on natural enemies and honey bees and environmental impact. Not
all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being
used. |
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| A. |
ESFENVALERATE* |
| |
(Asana XL) |
5.8–9.6 fl oz |
12 |
7 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3 |
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COMMENTS:
Do not exceed 0.35 lb a.i./acre/season. Do not use this product if leafminers are present; it is destructive of their parasites. |
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| B. |
DINOTEFURAN |
| |
(Venom) |
3–4 oz (foliar);
5–6 oz (soil) |
12 |
see comments |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A |
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COMMENTS:
Preharvest interval for foliar application is one day; for soil applications it is 21 days. |
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| C. |
PERMETHRIN* |
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(Ambush 25W) |
6.4–12.8 oz |
12 |
3 |
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(Pounce 25WP) |
6.4–12.8 oz |
12 |
3 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3 |
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COMMENTS: For use on bell peppers
only. Do not apply more than 1.6 lb a.i./acre/season. Do not use this product if leafminers are present; it is destructive of their parasites. |
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| D. |
CARBARYL* |
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(Sevin 4F or XLR Plus) |
0.5–1 qt |
12 |
3 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A |
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COMMENTS: Thorough coverage is important. Do not use if psyllids are present. |
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| E. |
ENDOSULFAN* |
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(Thionex 3EC) |
0.66–1.33 qt |
48 |
4 |
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(Thionex 50WP) |
1 lb |
48 |
4 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 2A |
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COMMENTS: Do not make more than 2 applications/year. |
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| F. |
PYRETHRIN# |
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(PyGanic) EC |
16 oz |
12 |
0 |
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MODE
OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3 |
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COMMENTS:
Begin applications when insects first appear; do not wait until the plants
are heavily infested. Apply in sufficient water for thorough coverage of the
plants. Apply at intervals of 7 days or less. Repeat as necessary to maintain control. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Peppers
UC ANR Publication 3460
Insects and Mites
E. T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension Imperial County
J. T. Trumble, Entomology, UC Riverside
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
W. J. Bentley, UC IPM Program, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
R. L. Coviello, UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno County
C. G. Summers, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
W. E. Chaney, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County
C. F. Fouche, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
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