Tuber flea beetle adult and larva

Adult Potato Flea Beetle

Potato Flea Beetle Larva

© 2000. Ralph E. Berry, Department of Entomology, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR.

The tuber flea beetle adult, Epitrix tuberis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is about 2 mm long. Mature larvae are about 5 mm long and white with a brown head. Larvae feed on potato tubers causing surface "tracking" or small tunnels about 0.5 cm deep. Adults feed on foliage causing small round holes, which gives the leaf a "shot-hole" appearance. Larvae are present in the soil from late June to mid-July when pupation occurs.

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