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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Sugarbeet
Flea Beetles
Scientific names:
Potato flea beetle: Epitrix cucumeris
Threespotted flea beetle: Disonycha triangularis
Palestriped flea beetle: Systena blanda
Tuber flea beetle: Epitrix tuberis
(Reviewed 11/05,
updated 11/05)
In this Guideline:
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The potato flea beetle is
a small (0.065 inch), shiny black beetle. The threespotted flea beetle is two
to three times larger and has an orange-colored thorax on which are three
prominent dark spots. The palestriped
flea beetle is about twice as large as the potato flea beetle. It is dark brown and has a
longitudinal creamy white stripe on each wing cover. The tuber flea beetle is
about the same size as the potato flea beetle and is also black and somewhat
shiny, but has even rows of small indentations on the wing covers. All of the
flea beetles have enlarged hind legs and jump vigorously when disturbed, thus
the name flea beetle.
Flea beetle damage is generally a concern only during the cotyledon
and early leaf development stages. Damage is caused by adults and consists of
numerous small rounded or irregular
holes eaten in leaves so that leaves appear to have been peppered with small shot. In
young plants this feeding damage can be very serious and result in plant death, thus
reducing stands. In addition to adult damage, larvae of the palestriped flea
beetle feeds on roots of young plants as well as on germinating seeds.
Keep fields weed-free, particularly of field bindweed and mustard, which are
preferred hosts of flea beetles. Replant heavily damaged fields. No economic
thresholds are available but consider treatments, especially on young plants,
if damage reaches a moderate level. Once plants are well established, flea
beetles rarely cause sufficient foliar damage to justify treatment.
| Common name |
Amount/Acre |
P.H.I.+ |
| (trade name) |
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(days) |
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| When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating
to water quality and impact on natural enemies and bees.
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| A. |
IMIDACLOPRID |
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(Gaucho) 480, 600 |
Label rates |
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MODE OF ACTION: A neonicotinoid (Group 4A)1
insecticide.
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COMMENTS: A seed treatment. Protects newly emerging seedlings. |
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| B. |
METHOMYL* |
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(Lannate)LV |
0.75-3 pt |
7-to harvest |
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(Lannate) SP |
0.25–1 lb |
30-tops |
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MODE OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1
insecticide.
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| C. |
CARBARYL* |
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(Sevin) XLR Plus |
1-1.5 qt |
28-roots and forage |
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MODE OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1
insecticide.
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Sugarbeet
UC ANR Publication 3469
Insects and Mites
C. G. Summers, Entomology,
Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern Co.
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis
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