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Eggplant flea beetle (247) Print Fact Sheet

Common Name

Eggplant flea beetle, Psylliodes flea beetle

Scientific Name

Psylliodes species. The beetle is recorded from Fiji and Tonga as Psylliodes brettinghami, but other species are likely to be present in the Pacific islands. However, even though the different species may have different hosts, it is likely that they have similar life cycles. Psylliodes brettinghami is thought to be synonymous with Psylliodes cucurbitae.

Distribution

Worldwide. Asia, Africa, North and Central America, Europe, Oceania. It is recorded from Australia (Lord Howe Island), Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

Hosts

Psylliodes species infest a number of solanaceous crops, including eggplant, potato, tomato, and weeds, such as black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), and gooseberry (Physalis angulata).

Symptoms & Life Cycle

The adults make clusters of small irregular holes in leaves as they feed (Photos 1-3), giving the impression of damage from fine bore shot [like, for instance, the bele (Abelmoschus) flea beetle (see Fact Sheet no. 22)]. Damage to seedlings may destroy the crop. Symptoms are similar on tomato (Photo 4).

The life cycle of the Pacific species is unknown. The following information is from other parts of the world. Eggs are yellowish, minute and laid singly or in clusters in soil beside the plant stems. Each female lays up to 500 eggs. Eggs probably hatch at about 7 days. The larvae, which have pale yellowish-white with brown heads, and tunnel through stems, roots or leaf midribs. They have three stages and become mature in about a month. Afterwards, they pupate in small chambers constructed in soil beside the plant, at 0.5-8 cm depth. Pupation may last up to a month. The adults are 3-4.5 mm long, shining brassy-green, green, or blackish blue with metallic shine, with lines of small pits on the wing covers (Photos 5&6). They have enlarged thigh on their hind legs and can jump considerable distances and also fly.

Impact

The flea beetle causes impact in two ways: (i) directly, as adults eating the leaves and affecting fruit yield, and (ii) indirectly, by transmitting plant viruses. Also, larvae add to the direct damage by burrowing inside roots, stems or midribs of leaves, and reduce plant vigour.

Detection & Inspection

Look for numerous small holes in leaves made as the adult flea beetles feed. Look for adults on the underside of leaves, but they are easily disturbed, so turn leaf over slowly or bend down to look from underneath. It is very unlikely that the larvae can easily be found in the soil. They are very small.

Management

QUARANTINE
Psylliodes species are probably native to the west Pacific region, feeding on indigenous Solanum species. However, there are probably several species and until their distributions are better known, efforts should be made to prevent spread between countries.

CULTURAL CONTROL

Before planting::

During growth

After harvest:

 CHEMICAL CONTROL
Spraying may be necessary when adults are in high number.


AUTHORS Grahame Jackson & Mani Mua
Photos 5&6 Henderson RC, Crosby TK (2012) Flea Beetle (Psylliodes brettinghami). PaDIL - (http://www.padil.gov.au).

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.



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