Flea Beetle
Disonycha xanthomeles
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameFlea Beetle
DescriptionSmall, jumping flea beetles create tiny 'shotholes' in plant leaves, weakening seedlings. Identify these active pests and implement effective organic control.
TypeInsect
FamilyChrysomelidae
GenusAltica
Tribe Alticini
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderColeoptera
SubfamilyAlticinae
Features
- Named 'flea beetles' because of their powerful enlarged hind legs that enable them to jump like fleas when threatened or disturbed
- Small, oval or elongated beetles with shiny, metallic appearance. Colors include black, bronze, blue-green, or striped. Have distinctively large hind legs for jumping
- Feed on leaves by chewing small, round holes that create a distinctive 'shotgun' pattern. Adults attack leaves while larvae feed on roots and stems underground
- Create numerous small, round holes in leaves giving a shot-riddled appearance. Heavy feeding causes leaves to look lacy or skeletonized. Can transmit bacterial wilt and blight
- Adults overwinter in soil and emerge in spring. Females lay eggs at base of plants. Larvae develop in soil for 2-3 weeks. Multiple generations per year
- Adults measure 1.5 to 4 mm in length. Small enough to hide in leaf folds but visible when they jump
- Most active in warm, dry spring weather. Spread by flying between plants during calm, warm conditions. Damage is worst on young seedlings
- Attack cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, radish), potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, spinach, beets, corn, beans, and many ornamental plants
- Prevent by using row covers on seedlings, planting later to avoid peak populations, keeping garden weed-free, and using trap crops. Mulch to discourage egg-laying
- Natural predators include parasitic wasps, tachinid flies, and beneficial nematodes. Treat with neem oil, spinosad, diatomaceous earth, or kaolin clay spray
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificDisonycha xanthomeles
English (Alternate)Crucifer flea beetle, Striped flea beetle, Potato flea beetle, Spinach flea beetle
Hindiಫ್ಲೀ ಬೀಟಲ್ (Flea Beetle), ಕೀಟ (keet)
Tamilತತ್ತುಂ ವಂಡು (Thaththum Vantu), ತೆಳ್ಳುಪ್ಪೂಚ್ಚಿ (Thelluppoochchi), ತತ್ತು ವಂಡು (Thathu Vantu)
Teluguಪೆಮ್ಮಕ ಪುರುಗು (Pemmaka pūrugu), ಪೆಂಕು ಪುರುಗು (Pencu pūrugu)
Malayalamಚೆಳ್ಳು ಕೃಮಿ (cheḷḷu kr̥mi)
Kannadaಚಿಗಟ ಜೀರುಂಡೆ (Chigta Jīruṇḍe)
Sanskritಮತ್ಕುಣ-ಕೀಟ (matkuṇa-kīṭa), ಮತ್ಕುಣ-ಭ್ರಮರ (matkuṇa-bhramara)
Bengaliಪುಂಇಶೋಲಾ (Pui-shola)
Frenchaltise, altise des crucifères
Russianಬ್ಲೋಶಿನಿ ಜುಕಿ (blo-SHEE-nyeh zoo-KEE), ಬ್ಲೋಖ್ ಜುಕೋವ್ (blohkh zoo-KOF)
Spanishpulgón
GermanErdflöhe
