Photo by Pam Geisel
Click on images to enlarge. |
Identification
Adult flea beetles are black and very small, about 1/25 inch
(1 mm) long with enlarged hind legs. The larvae are white with fine
bristles and a light brown head capsule. Larvae live in the soil
and are not usually seen.
Hosts
Bermudagrass, dichondra
Damage
On bermudagrass, damage appears in March through September. White,
linear banding occurs along the length of the leaf blade. The turfgrass
appears bleached or burned.
On dichondra, larvae feed on roots, causing the plant to wilt and
die. Adults feed on the leaves, producing crescent marks on the upper
surface.
Monitoring information
Look for small, shiny, black beetles that jump readily when disturbed.
Management
Flea beetles rarely occur in numbers justifying treatment.
Life cycle
For more information on lawn insects, refer to:
Pest Notes: Lawn Insects
|
