Includes cabbage flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae)
Pest description and crop damage A small, shiny steel-blue jumping beetle that eats round holes in leaves of wild and cultivated crucifers. It is particularly serious on seedlings.
Management-chemical control
- azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5) at 4 to 16 fl oz/A (0.012 to 0.049 lb ai/A). PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. Begin applications at first sign of infestation. Multiple applications and thorough coverage are necessary for effective control. Apply every 7 to 10 days as needed. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- gamma cyhalothrin (Declare) at 1.02 to 1.54 fl oz/A (0.01 to 0.015 lb ai/A). Do not apply more than 12.3 fl oz/A (0.12 lb ai/A) per season. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Apply as required by scouting, usually at intervals of 5 days or more.
See also: