Flea Beetle Populations and Their Management on Vegetables in Virginia

Flea beetles (FB), (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), are common pests of cabbage and eggplant, but little is known about the FB populations in Virginia, their impact on yield, or the most effective control methods. This research investigates the FB populations and impact of their feeding injury on cabbage and eggplant in Southwest Virginia, and determines the most efficacious control methods.

In Whitethorne, VA, cabbage and eggplant crops were vacuum sampled weekly throughout two summers. Crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), and striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta striolata Fabr. were found on cabbage; whereas, eggplant flea beetle, Epitrix fucula (Crotch), and the tobacco flea beetle, Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer) were found on eggplant. To evaluate the impact of FB feeding on these plants, insecticides were used to create a range of pest pressure. Flea beetle densities and defoliation was visually assessed weekly and individual plant as well as whole plot yields assessed at harvest. In both crops, as little as 20% defoliation significantly reduced yield, with higher defoliation resulting in lower yield. The efficacy of various insecticides was also evaluated; soil application of the systemic neonicotinoid dinotefuran had the fewest beetles, the least amount of leaf defoliation, and the highest yield in cabbage and eggplant. Lastly, deltamethrin-incorporated mesh row covers were evaluated and shown to provide excellent control of FB compared to an untreated row cover or a control; and comparable to the standard insecticide, dinotefuran. This research helps vegetable growers to better understand the severity of these pests and how to effectively combat them.