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 IGR) at 7 to 16 fl oz/A (0.021 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.
- imidacloprid (Senator 600 FS) as a seed treatment at 5.1 to 12.8 fl oz per 50 lb bag seed (0.2 to 0.5 lb ai). Use high rate on seed planted in areas with historically high pest pressure. For mustard seed only. REI 12 hr. Do not apply more than 12.8 fl oz/A (0.5 lb ai) per year. Treated seed must be planted at a soil depth greater than 1 inch.
See also: