Species Epitrix fuscula - Eggplant Flea Beetle

Classification · Size · Identification · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · Internet References

heavily punctate black flea beetle - Epitrix fuscula

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Longhorn, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Chrysomeloidea (Long-horned and Leaf Beetles)

Family Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)

Subfamily Galerucinae (Skeletonizing leaf beetles)

Tribe Alticini (Flea Beetles)

Genus Epitrix

Species fuscula (Eggplant Flea Beetle)

Size

Adult beetles 2 mm

Identification

Tiny black beetles with stong hind legs which enable them to jump long distances.

Food

Eggplant, potato, horsenettle (all family Solanaceae), pokeweed, sugar beet, strawberry.

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid in the soil in spring. Larvae fed on roots and tubers for 2 - 3 weeks. They pupate in the soil and emerge as adult beetles 7 - 10 days later. Beetles feed on leaves for about two months. There may be to four generations per year. This species overwinters as an adult beetle in the soil or in crop debris.

Remarks

May be very damaging to root crops in the larval stage and to young seedlings when feeding on the leaves as an adult.

Internet References

NCSU Info Page

Contributed by Mike Boone on 27 September, 2006 - 1:30pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason
Last updated 29 September, 2006 - 10:18am

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