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What is it?
Flea beetles are beetles which jump in the same manner as fleas, but are unrelated to fleas. Both adult and mature flea beetles can be of harm to the many plants in the curcurbit family, including cucumbers, gourds, muskmelons, pumpkins, watermelon, and summer and winter squash.
What does it look like?
Flea beetles are tiny and black. They grow only up to 1/16 inch and will jump just like fleas when they are disturbed for any reason. Curcurbit family plants with flea beetle damage will have holes in their leaves which look almost as if they have been shot they are so riddled with openings. The holes are usually about 1/8 inch in diameter but may join together to form larger openings. Seedlings are especially susceptible and in many cases whole plants can wither, wilt, and die if left untreated, regardless of age.
How does it manifest?
Flea beetle start out as legless grey grubs which have hatched from eggs that have been laid in the soil. These legless grubs feed on the roots and undersides of leaves in curcurbit family plants for two to four weeks, as well as the fruits themselves. After pupating in the soil, they emerge as mature adults and begin the process again feeding for up to two months and reproducing quickly, creating up to four generations of mature flea beetles each growing season. As adults, they chew holes in the leaves, leaving them looking riddled as if by a shotgun. These leaves quickly wither, dry out and die.
What can you do about it?
When you see the first signs of flea beetle damage on leaves, use an insecticide which contains either carbaryl, pyrethrins, or diazinon to help control them. Each time new growth is affected, or you find further damage, repeat the application of insecticide. You can repeat the treatment safely every seven days if necessary. Additionally, make sure to clear away all plant debris which can harbor insects and eggs which can overwinter.
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