Flea Beetles (Epitrix Spp.)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Exotic Pest Fact Sheet 6 Flea Beetles (Epitrix spp.) What are they? Why are they an issue? Epitrix spp. (including cucumeris, similaris, subcrinita, The adults of the flea beetles feed on the leaves of the tuberus and others) is a biological grouping of flea plants causing damage. This damage is not usually beetles which are thought to feed on a number of economically significant in older plants but damage to Fig1: Potato flea beetle (E. cucumeris). host plants but prefer members of the Solanaceae seedlings can result in death or stunted growth. The Leaf injury to tomato seedling. family. Epitrix species are extremely difficult to larvae of most flea beetle species feed on small roots distinguish – even by experts. or root hairs which may slightly reduce plant health and vigour, but typically does not result in substantial economic loss. What do they look like? All species of Epitrix are similar, being dark in colour, How do they spread? only 1.5–2 mm long, convex and covered with short The most likely method of spread of flea beetle is soft hair (Fig 1 & 3). The common name of flea beetle considered to be as pupae or dormant adults in soil is derived from the ability of the adults to jump when Fig 2: Typical shothole feeding wounds associated with both host and non-host plants. to a tomato leaf. Images 1 & 2 : disturbed. Mature larvae range in size from 1-5 mm Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State long and are dirty-white with a brown head. University, Bugwood.org licensed Where are they present? under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License Australia (restricted), parts of Europe, South Africa, What should I look for? Mexico and North and South America. Adults feed on the leaves producing a characteristic ‘shot-hole’ pattern (Fig 2). How can I protect my industry? Check your production site frequently for the presence of new pests and unusual symptoms. Make sure you are familiar with common industry pests so Fig 3: Epitrix cucumeris – Potato you can recognise something different. flea beetle © Copyright Hadel Go 2014-2015 / www.discoverlife.org Last September 2018 reviewed:.

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Morphological Systematics of the Nightshade Flea Beetles Epitrix
Clemson University TigerPrints All Theses Theses 8-2016 Morphological Systematics of the Nightshade Flea Beetles Epitrix Foudras and Acallepitrix Bechyné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) in America North of Mexico Anthony Martin Deczynski Clemson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses Recommended Citation Deczynski, Anthony Martin, "Morphological Systematics of the Nightshade Flea Beetles Epitrix Foudras and Acallepitrix Bechyné (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) in America North of Mexico" (2016). All Theses. 2479. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/2479 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MORPHOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS OF THE NIGHTSHADE FLEA BEETLES EPITRIX FOUDRAS AND ACALLEPITRIX BECHYNÉ (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE: GALERUCINAE: ALTICINI) IN AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO A Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Entomology by Anthony Martin Deczynski August 2016 Accepted by: Dr. Michael Caterino, Committee Chair Dr. Peter Adler Dr. J. Antonio Baeza ABSTRACT The flea beetle genera Epitrix and Acallepitrix are revised for America North of Mexico, building on a prior preliminary revision of the genus Epitrix by the author (Deczynski 2014). Four new species are described: Epitrix cuprea sp. nov., E. rileyi sp. nov., E. latifrons sp. nov., and E. vasinoda sp. nov., bringing the North American Epitrix fauna to a total of 26 species. A key is provided to adults of all species.
[Show full text]
Flea Beetles (Order: Coleoptera, Family: Chrysomelidae/Alticinae) Tobacco (Epitrix Hirtipennis (Melsheimer)) Southern Tobacco (
Flea beetles (Order: Coleoptera, Family: Chrysomelidae/Alticinae) Tobacco (Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer)) Southern tobacco (Epitrix fasciata (Blatchley)) Pale striped (Systena blanda (Melsheimer)) Description: Adult: The tobacco and southern tobacco flea beetle adults are small (1.4- 2.2 mm in length) and reddish, yellow brown, with a brown patch across the width of the elytra. The southern tobacco adult is slightly smaller and wider than the tobacco flea beetle. The pale striped flea beetle adult is larger (3.0- 4.3 mm long) and has a pair of pale yellow stripes lengthwise down the back, one stripe on each elytron. Immature stages: All of the above species have three larval instars that are whitish with darker heads, and all feed on fine roots near the soil surface or occasionally tunnel into larger roots. The tobacco flea beetle larvae range Tobacco flea beetle adult. from 1 mm after hatching to 4.2 mm at maturity, while the pale stripe larvae range from 1 to 11 mm. Biology: Life cycle: Tobacco flea beetle females can lay up to 200 eggs which hatch in 6- 8 days. The larval development typically lasts from 16-20 days under warm conditions. The last instar larva forms a small cell in the soil where it pupates, and the adult emerges 4-5 days later for a total of 26-33 days. The pale striped flea beetle requires a longer time to develop from egg to adult, 28-54 days total. Seasonal distribution: There are 3-4 generations of the tobacco flea beetles per year. High numbers have been observed in south Georgia in late June in Solanaceous crop transplants, and we think that this is likely a second generation.
[Show full text]
Barcoding Chrysomelidae: a Resource for Taxonomy and Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Region
A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys 597:Barcoding 27–38 (2016) Chrysomelidae: a resource for taxonomy and biodiversity conservation... 27 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.597.7241 RESEARCH ARTICLE http://zookeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research Barcoding Chrysomelidae: a resource for taxonomy and biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean Region Giulia Magoga1,*, Davide Sassi2, Mauro Daccordi3, Carlo Leonardi4, Mostafa Mirzaei5, Renato Regalin6, Giuseppe Lozzia7, Matteo Montagna7,* 1 Via Ronche di Sopra 21, 31046 Oderzo, Italy 2 Centro di Entomologia Alpina–Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy 3 Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona, lungadige Porta Vittoria 9, 37129 Verona, Italy 4 Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano, Corso Venezia 55, 20121 Milano, Italy 5 Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources–University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran 6 Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l’Ambiente–Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy 7 Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali–Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy Corresponding authors: Matteo Montagna ([email protected]) Academic editor: J. Santiago-Blay | Received 20 November 2015 | Accepted 30 January 2016 | Published 9 June 2016 http://zoobank.org/4D7CCA18-26C4-47B0-9239-42C5F75E5F42 Citation: Magoga G, Sassi D, Daccordi M, Leonardi C, Mirzaei M, Regalin R, Lozzia G, Montagna M (2016) Barcoding Chrysomelidae: a resource for taxonomy and biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean Region. In: Jolivet P, Santiago-Blay J, Schmitt M (Eds) Research on Chrysomelidae 6. ZooKeys 597: 27–38. doi: 10.3897/ zookeys.597.7241 Abstract The Mediterranean Region is one of the world’s biodiversity hot-spots, which is also characterized by high level of endemism.
[Show full text]
Flea Beetles
Problem: Flea Beetles Hosts: Watermelons, pumpkins, peas, beans, eggplants, sweet potatoes, beets, spinach, strawberries and potatoes. Description: "Flea beetle" is a generic name applied to many species of small jumping beetles commonly seen early in the gardening season. Some species are general feeders while others have a more restricted host range. All flea beetle life stages are completed underground. Only the adults are commonly seen by gardeners and vegetable producers. Flea beetles may be somewhat elongate to oval in shape, and vary in color, pattern, and size. For instance, potato flea beetles (Epitrix cucumeris) tend to be more oval, blackish, and about 1/16-inch long. Striped flea beetles (Phyllotreta striolata) are more elongate and dark with yellowish crooked stripes, and measure about 1/12-inch long. Spinach flea beetles (Disonycha xanthomelaena) are both oval and elongate. They have a black head, antennae and legs. The collar behind the head is yellow to yellowish-orange. Wing covers have blackish-blue luster. They approach 1/5 inch in body length. With most species of flea beetle, the adults overwinter underground or beneath plant debris. During April and May, they become active, mate, and deposit eggs. Egg laying varies depending upon species. Some deposit individual eggs while others deposit them in clusters. Egg sites may be in soil, on leaves, on leaf petioles, or within holes chewed into stems. Eggs typically hatch in 10 days. Larval and pupal development take place during the summer. "New" adults emerge and feed during late summer and fall before seeking overwintering sites. Larvae feeding on underground portions of plants may result in decreased plant vigor.
[Show full text]
Flea Beetles
E-74-W Vegetable Insects Department of Entomology FLEA BEETLES Rick E. Foster and John L. Obermeyer, Extension Entomologists Several species of fl ea beetles are common in Indiana, sometimes causing damage so severe that plants die. Flea beetles are small, hard-shelled insects, so named because their enlarged hind legs allow them to jump like fl eas from plants when disturbed. They usually move by walking or fl ying, but when alarmed they can jump a considerable distance. Most adult fl ea beetle damage is unique in appearance. They feed by chewing a small hole (often smaller than 1/8 inch) in a leaf, moving a short distance, then chewing another hole and so on. The result looks like a number of “shot holes” in the leaf. While some of the holes may meet, very often they do not. A major exception to this characteristic type of damage is that caused by the corn fl ea beetle, which eats the plant tissue forming narrow lines in the corn leaf surface. This damage gives plants a greyish appearance. Corn fl ea beetle damage on corn leaf (Photo Credit: John Obermeyer) extent of damage is realized. Therefore, it is very important to regularly check susceptible plants, especially when they are in the seedling stage. Most species of fl ea beetles emerge from hibernation in late May and feed on weeds and other plants, if hosts are not available. In Indiana, some species have multiple generations per year, and some have only one. Keeping fi elds free of weed hosts will help reduce fl ea beetle populations.
[Show full text]
Section IV – Guideline for the Texas Priority Species List
Section IV – Guideline for the Texas Priority Species List Associated Tables The Texas Priority Species List……………..733 Introduction For many years the management and conservation of wildlife species has focused on the individual animal or population of interest. Many times, directing research and conservation plans toward individual species also benefits incidental species; sometimes entire ecosystems. Unfortunately, there are times when highly focused research and conservation of particular species can also harm peripheral species and their habitats. Management that is focused on entire habitats or communities would decrease the possibility of harming those incidental species or their habitats. A holistic management approach would potentially allow species within a community to take care of themselves (Savory 1988); however, the study of particular species of concern is still necessary due to the smaller scale at which individuals are studied. Until we understand all of the parts that make up the whole can we then focus more on the habitat management approach to conservation. Species Conservation In terms of species diversity, Texas is considered the second most diverse state in the Union. Texas has the highest number of bird and reptile taxon and is second in number of plants and mammals in the United States (NatureServe 2002). There have been over 600 species of bird that have been identified within the borders of Texas and 184 known species of mammal, including marine species that inhabit Texas’ coastal waters (Schmidly 2004). It is estimated that approximately 29,000 species of insect in Texas take up residence in every conceivable habitat, including rocky outcroppings, pitcher plant bogs, and on individual species of plants (Riley in publication).
[Show full text]
Biological Observations and Control of Potato Flea Beetle, Epitrix Cucumeris Harris
University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 1949 Biological observations and control of potato flea beetle, Epitrix cucumeris Harris. Jose Terrazas Loyola University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses Terrazas Loyola, Jose, "Biological observations and control of potato flea beetle, Epitrix cucumeris Harris." (1949). Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014. 2817. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses/2817 This thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Biological Observations and Control of Potato Flea Beetle, Epltrlx cucumerls Harris by Jose Terrazas Loyola i mi./ VJ 1 u ui v i jvb i m ('j hi\ (u^y Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science University of Massachusetts June 19^9 CONTENTS Page Part I Acknowledgements .. 1 Introduction .. 2 Flea Beetles. 3 Potato Flea Beetles...... 9 Eastern Potato Flea Beetles . 10 History .. 10 Taxonomy ..••••••. 14- Synonymy . 15 Food Plants . 15 Review of Literature . 15 Part II Experimental Work .. 37 Biological Observations. 37 Summary .. 46 Control. 47 Greenhouse Experiments .. 47 Field Tests . 5& Economic Aspect .... • 62 Summary .. 67 General Conclusions .. 69 Literature Cited .. 91 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The writer wishes to express his sincere gratitude to Dr, Frank R. Shaw and Professor Arthur X. Bourne, under whose direction and supervision the prerent study was made. To the members of the Thesis Committee, Dr, C.
[Show full text]
PM 7/109 (2) Epitrix Cucumeris, Epitrix
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin (2017) 47 (1), 10–17 ISSN 0250-8052. DOI: 10.1111/epp.12362 European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization Organisation Europeénne et Me´diterraneénne pour la Protection des Plantes PM 7/109 (2) Diagnostics Diagnostic PM 7/109 (2) Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix papa, Epitrix subcrinita, Epitrix tuberis Specific scope Specific approval and amendment This Standard describes a diagnostic protocol for adults of First approved in 2011-09. Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix papa, Epitrix subcrinita and Revision approved in 2016-01. Epitrix tuberis. (https://gd.eppo.int/). This protocol focuses on detection of 1. Introduction Epitrix species in potato. Epitrix subcrinita, Epitrix tuberis and Epitrix cucumeris are flea beetles belonging to the North American species of Epitrix developing on Solanum tuberosum (Solanaceae). 2. Identity Epitrix cucumeris is established in the Azores Islands (Por- Name: Epitrix cucumeris (Harris) tugal) where it was collected for the first time in Faial Taxonomic position: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae Island around 1979 (Boavida & Germain, 2009). In main- EPPO code: EPIXCU land Portugal, E. cucumeris was detected with another spe- Phytosanitary categorization: EPPO A2, EU Commission cies new to science, Epitrix papa, in approximately 2004 decision 2016/1359/EU when unusual damage to potato crops was observed (Oli- veira et al., 2008). Epitrix papa was initially misidentified Name: Epitrix papa Orlova-Bienkowskaja as Epitrix similaris, another North American species Taxonomic position: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae (Orlova-Bienkowskaja, 2015). Both species have also been EPPO code: EPIXPP detected in Spain. To date, E. tuberis and E. subcrinita Phytosanitary categorization: EPPO A2, EU Commission have not been detected in the EPPO region.
[Show full text]
First Record of the Tobacco Flea Beetle Epitrix Hirtipennis Melsheimer
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin (2014) 44 (1), 44–46 ISSN 0250-8052. DOI: 10.1111/epp.12092 First record of the tobacco flea beetle Epitrix hirtipennis Melsheimer [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae] in Russia M. J. Orlova-Bienkowskaja A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskii Prospect 33, Moscow, 119071, Russia; e-mail: [email protected] The invasive pest of tobacco Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer, 1847) is recorded in Russia for the first time. In April 2013 two specimens were collected in Sochi and in May one specimen was collected in Tuapse (near the Black Sea shore, in the Northern Caucasus). Epitrix hirtipennis is native to North and Central America. It was first recorded in the EPPO region in 1983 in Italy. It was subsequently recorded in the Azores (Portugal), Greece, Turkey, FYR of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Syria. Epitrix hirtipennis is the first known alien flea beetle in Russia. Flea beetles of the genus Epitrix Foudras, 1860 (Coleoptera: tobacco in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria (Deseo€ et al., 1993; Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) are tiny beetles that feed mainly Lykouressis et al., 1994; Deligeorgidis et al., 2007; Tomov on Solanaceae. Some of them are serious pests. The genus et al., 2007). It also damages eggplant in Greece (Lyko- has a worldwide distribution and consists of nearly 180 spe- uressis, 1991). Epitrix hirtipennis is sometimes found on cies. Fourteen of them are native to the Palaearctic ecozone, potato, but is not considered a serious pest of potato crops and 12 to the Nearctic ecozone (Doberl,€ 2000). Four in the European countries (Boavida & Germain, 2009).
[Show full text]
Invasive Species
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Invasive species First Report of Session 2019 Report, together with formal minutes relating to the report Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 15 October 2019 HC 88 Published on 25 October 2019 by authority of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee The Environmental Audit Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to consider to what extent the policies and programmes of government departments and non-departmental public bodies contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development; to audit their performance against such targets as may be set for them by Her Majesty’s Ministers; and to report thereon to the House. Current membership Mary Creagh MP (Labour, Wakefield) (Chair) Dr Thérèse Coffey MP (Conservative, Suffolk Coastal) Geraint Davies MP (Labour (Co-op), Swansea West) Mr Philip Dunne MP (Conservative, Ludlow) Zac Goldsmith MP (Conservative, Richmond Park) Mr Robert Goodwill MP (Conservative, Scarborough and Whitby) James Gray MP (Conservative, North Wiltshire) Ruth Jones MP (Labour, Newport West) Jeremy Lefroy MP (Conservative, Stafford) Caroline Lucas MP (Green Party, Brighton, Pavilion) Kerry McCarthy MP (Labour, Bristol East) Anna McMorrin MP (Labour, Cardiff North) John McNally MP (Scottish National Party, Falkirk) Dr Matthew Offord MP (Conservative, Hendon) Alex Sobel MP (Labour (Co-op), Leeds North West) Derek Thomas MP (Conservative, St Ives) Powers The constitution and powers are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152A. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk. Publications © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2019. This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament Licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/copyright.
[Show full text]
Plant Viruses Infecting Solanaceae Family Members in the Cultivated and Wild Environments: a Review
plants Review Plant Viruses Infecting Solanaceae Family Members in the Cultivated and Wild Environments: A Review Richard Hanˇcinský 1, Daniel Mihálik 1,2,3, Michaela Mrkvová 1, Thierry Candresse 4 and Miroslav Glasa 1,5,* 1 Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Nám. J. Herdu 2, 91701 Trnava, Slovakia; [email protected] (R.H.); [email protected] (D.M.); [email protected] (M.M.) 2 Institute of High Mountain Biology, University of Žilina, Univerzitná 8215/1, 01026 Žilina, Slovakia 3 National Agricultural and Food Centre, Research Institute of Plant Production, Bratislavská cesta 122, 92168 Piešt’any, Slovakia 4 INRAE, University Bordeaux, UMR BFP, 33140 Villenave d’Ornon, France; [email protected] 5 Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Virology, Dúbravská cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +421-2-5930-2447 Received: 16 April 2020; Accepted: 22 May 2020; Published: 25 May 2020 Abstract: Plant viruses infecting crop species are causing long-lasting economic losses and are endangering food security worldwide. Ongoing events, such as climate change, changes in agricultural practices, globalization of markets or changes in plant virus vector populations, are affecting plant virus life cycles. Because farmer’s fields are part of the larger environment, the role of wild plant species in plant virus life cycles can provide information about underlying processes during virus transmission and spread. This review focuses on the Solanaceae family, which contains thousands of species growing all around the world, including crop species, wild flora and model plants for genetic research.
[Show full text]
Flea Beetles
Flea Beetles Order: Coleoptera Family: Chrysomelidae Genus/Species: Tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis; Tobacco flea beetle, Epitrix hirtipennis; Western potato flea beetle, Epitrix subcrinita; and Crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae. Description: Flea Beetles are small, 1/15-1/6 inch, brown, black or bluish, metallic, some with small markings. Their name comes from their large rear legs which allow them to jump like a flea when disturbed. Their antennae are close together at the base and their front coxae are usually conical. The larvae are slender, dirty white with a brown head and about ¼ inch long when mature. Habitat: Many flea beetles restrict their feeding to certain types of plants. Commonly attacked: tomato, eggplant, potato, peppers, beets, turnips, radish, rutabagas, parsnip, collards, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and beets. Life Cycle: These flea beetles develop below ground. In spring adults lay very small eggs in soil cracks around the base of plants. The minute, wormlike larvae primarily feed on small roots, usually from June to mid-July, then they pupate in the soil. The adults emerge from July through early September and feed on the foliage for a short time before over- wintering in debris. Depending on the species there are one or two generations each year. Economic Importance & Management: Adults chew small pits or holes in the leaves. On mature plants it is not considered to be particularly damaging, but seedlings may be killed or stunted. Usually the larva feeding on the roots cause little damage, except for those attacked by Western potato flea beetle, Epitrix subcrinita.
[Show full text]