Though little black-market bugs on tomato plants may not seem like much of a problem , if left unchecked the issue can become quite serious . These small pests likely belong to a family of germ called flea beetle . There are a few different choice on how to check them , though some type of pesticide will likely be necessary .

Types

There are dozens of coinage of bugs usually referred to as flea beetle . All come from the same scientific family , Chrysomelidae . Though the beetle have a quite extensive list of metal money , it could be that only a handful live in your area . Regardless of the type of flea beetle , the discussion method is typically the same , as are many of their habits . Not all types like love apple plants .

Identification

The flea beetles range in colour from black to Brown University and are generally less than half an in long ; some may be even smaller than that , even as small as one - tenth of an inch . A individual beetle , given its size of it , would not be able to do much damage to any industrial plant as large as a tomato plant industrial plant , but they are found in groups . Many may infect a undivided plant . The mallet have well - developed hind leg and can stand out an telling distance if upset .

Significance

The main threat from these bugs is simply the wrong they can do to the tomato plant plant life . The beetle will tip on the leaves and lie their eggs in the soil around these plant . Once the untried beetles dream up , they will drop some time in the ground , where they feed on the roots and underground stems of the works . In accession to defoliation , the mallet can expose a flora to plague and disease , which could be fatal .

Time Frame

Adult beetles typically seek shelter from the winter in the stain , emerging again when the temperature reaches approximately 50 degree . Once they emerge , they immediately seek food and continue their life bike . In a raise season , it is not uncommon for as many as three generations of the beetles to hail and go , multiplying each fourth dimension . In location with extended develop seasons , some beetle produce many more generations each yr .

Prevention/Solution

You may be able to encourage the beetles to move on by delaying planting tomatoes as long as possible . If the beetles can not find nourishment , they will apace move on . However , if there are other sources of nutrient in the area , they could stick around . Insecticides containing permethrin , carbaryl , spinosad or bifenthrin are good at wipe out populations . You may need to reapply these weekly to help keep the problem from yield , especially if you have younger plant .

References

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