yardener logo - click to go to home page
Yardener's Advisor Newsletter: Sign In / Subscribe


Search Yardener

  • Home
  • Find Info
    • Plant Helper
    • Plant And Pest Problem Solver
    • Toolshed of Products
    • Buy Books And Videos By Jeff Ball
    • Watch Yardening Videos By Jeff Ball
    • Nancy's Blog
    • About Us
  • Ask Nancy! (Free Q&A)
    • Ask A Question For Free!
    • View A List Of Answered Questions
  • Free Monthly Newsletter Subscription!
    • Sign Up
    • About
  • Free Videos
  • Want To Help Us?

    • 1) Join Our Team!
    • 2) Donate Via PayPal

    • 3) Share Yardener
  • Looking For Products?
    • 1) Shop At amazon.com logo

Home Page > Yardener's Plant Problem Solver > Dealing With Pest Insects > Pest Insects On Flowers > Flea Beetles

Flea Beetles

If the leaves of your plant look like someone with a miniature shotgun has shot a bunch of little holes in the leaves, you are likely to be dealing with flea beetles

Identifying Flea Beetles


Flea beetles are shiny, black beetles, about the size of a pinhead ;1/10 inch long. Some species have yellow or white markings. They are very active and jump like a flea when disturbed. Flea beetles transmit viral and bacterial diseases, including early blight and bacterial wilt. These insect pests are found throughout the United States.

Growth Stages

Flea beetles overwinter in the soil, in garden debris, on trees or in nearby brush, in other words, all over the place. Adults overwinter in the soil and in garden debris and emerge in early spring.

Females lay eggs near the bases of plants (then vulnerable to ants). These hatch in about one week, and the larvae feed on the roots of plants for two to three weeks before pupating and emerging as winged adults to attack foliage. The larvae are vulnerable to predatory nematodes.

  • read more:
  • Diagnosing Flea Beetles
  • Solutions For Flea Beetles
  • Causes of Flea Beetles
  • Preventing Flea Beetles Next Year

The following questions were asked by visitors who viewed this page:
  • Can Arugula Leaves That Have Been Eaten By Flea Beetles Be Safely Used In Salads
  • Is It Safe To Wash And Eat Swiss Chard Leaves That Have Small Holes
see all questions...

Do you have a gardening question? Ask Nancy



Our Privacy Policy       Contact Us

©2003-2022 Yardener.com, All Rights Reserved
YARDENER is a registered service mark
copyright material is protected by copyscape.com, do not copy our content without permission