Striped Flea Beetle
Return to insect pests
Striped flea beetle (Phyllotreta striolata). Several species of flea beetles attack cole crops in Kentucky. They are very small brown to black beetles that may have some yellow markings on their wing covers. The striped flea beetle has a broken pale stripe on each wing cover. Flea beetle lay their eggs at the base of the plants and the larvae feed on the roots. Flea beetles over winter as adults in plant debris in and around the field and may be much more common following mild winters.
Striped flea beetle
(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Small transplants may need to be protected from excessive feeding by flea beetles.
- Row covers.
- insecticide sprays.
- Transplant drenches.
