Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides

Chinese cabbage flea beetle (166)


Click/tap on images to enlarge
Summary
  • Worldwide distribution. In the tropics, sub-tropics and temperate countries. On members of the cabbage family, Chinese cabbage in particular. An important pest.
  • Adults, 2mm long, occur in large numbers, eating tiny holes in the leaves, making them unmarketable.
  • Eggs are laid in the soil and the larvae feed on roots.
  • Biosecurity: Limited distribution in Pacific islands.
  • Cultural control: avoid planting near or downwind from infested crops; use fertilizer, manures or composts to accelerate growth; monitor for beetles (cardboard covered in grease moved quickly along the row); collect and burn debris after harvest; crop rotation.
  • Chemical control: PDPs: neem, pyrethrum, or derris; or synthetic pyrethroids, but they are likely to kill natural enemies.
Common Name

Lesser striped flea beetle, small striped flea beetle, flea beetle, turnip flea beetle

Scientific Name

Phyllotreta undulata


AUTHOR Grahame Jackson
Information from Phyllotreta undulata (flea beetle lesser striped). Crop Protection Compendium. (https://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/40785).

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.

Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.