Grape flea beetle is found in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. Native to North America. The most serious damage occurs in the spring. New adults feed for the remainder of the summer and go into hibernation in the fall. Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! Later in the season, larvae will feed on the foliage and flower clusters but this damage is rarely of economic importance. Repeated scouting may be required in years where weather conditions keep buds in the susceptible stages (bud swell to 1/2-inch shoot growth. Beetles overwinter in the adult stage and emerge as grape buds begin to swell, with one generation per year. Apple Scab 1. Scheduled sprays for grape berry moth and other insect pests occur later in the season are of little benefit as they do not coincide with early flea beetle activity. Adults overwinter in protected areas around vineyards, and start feeding on interior of primary buds and opening grape leaves in early spring. Grape flea beetles overwinter as adults and become active on warm April days when grape buds begin to swell. Dean Flea beetle (Steely beetle) This insect attacks buds of both wild and cultivated grape, and is another early season grape pest. CAUTION! Control of flea beetles naturally starts with consistent cultural practices, physical barriers, and even biological methods. Flea beetle control is an ongoing battle that relies upon three levels of approach. Periodical Cicadas 5. Damage is often restricted to vineyard borders, particularly near wooded areas. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Test out the mixture on a leaf of the plant, let it sit overnight, then spray the rest of the plant if you don’t notice any adverse effects. Check 100 vines and record the number of hits. Grape flea beetle is found in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. Knowledge of your enemy is the first key to flea beetle control. Feed on small grape buds. The grape flea beetle is occasionally a serious pest of grapes in Ohio. Proper timing of the insecticide is important to provide good control of grape flea beetles. Digital Media Library, Photos courtesy Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. This may reduce the numbers of primary and secondary fruit clusters. 859-257-4772, Students   /   Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Analysis. Light Brown Apple Moth (.pdf) – WSU; Various Stink Bugs: Grapes. This may reduce the numbers of primary and secondary fruit clusters. Upon emerging from hibernation in the spring, the adult beetles feed on swelling and opening grape buds, leaving what appears as a large, round hole in the side of the bud. The main culprits of such type of damage are flea beetle and cutworms. Larvae are small, cream-colored worms (1/8 – 1/3 inch long). Coverage is Key for Airblast Sprayers 6. The grape flea beetle is often a sporadic pest of grapes during the early growing season in most growing areas. The insect overwinters as an adult. Generally, larvae are not the greatest concern because management should be concentrated on the bud-damaging adult stage. grape cane girldler. Pheromone Trap Catches 3. Grape Flea beetles, Altica spp. S123 Ag Science – North Grape Flea Beetle • Damage by adults to primary and secondary buds • Cool weather patterns that prolong swollen bud stage can result in longer window of attack • Scout at bud swell • Scout vineyard closest to wooded areas first • Broad spectrum insecticide if present. The flea beetle (family Chrysomelidae) is a pesky visitor to most gardens. They are one of the first insects to appear on the vine as spring begins. Philanthropy & Alumni Adults are dark metallic greenish-blue, jumping beetles about 1/5 inch long; larvae are brownish and marked with black spots; eggs are pale yellow, and fairly conspicuous on upper leaf surface or under loose cane bark. Bonide® Fruit Tree Spray for flea beetles, Japanese beetles, grape leaf skeletonizers, grape berry moth, spider mites, mealybugs, leafhoppers, black rot, downy mildew and botrytis rot. ), also known as the steely beetle, is a native insect and occurs in almost all states east of the Rocky Mountains and in Canada. The most serious damage occurs in the spring. Grape flea beetle is found in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. Insecticides: In particularly heavy infestations, if more than 4% of grape buds are infested, spray an application of carbaryl, esfenvalerate or pyrethrin to reduce grape flea beetles. Adults eat buds and unfolding leaves, resulting in hollowed out and leaves that emerge ragged and tattered. Black Vine Weevil – WSU Webpage; Japanese Beetle – Virginia Tech; Flea Beetle – Cornell University; Fruit Pests. When grape flea beetle is a problem, it occurs early in the season, just when the buds begin to swell. The flea beetle is a small, jumping beetle of the leaf beetle family (Chrysomelidae), that makes up the tribe Alticini which is part of the subfamily Galerucinae.Historically the flea beetles were classified as their own subfamily. This damage threshold can be adjusted according to variety and training system. The brown, black-spotted larvae of the grape flea beetle will skeletonize the leaves and eat the flower clusters, too. They live underground and feed on the roots and tubers of young plants as well as on germinating seeds. The females lay eggs under loose cane bark on vines, or occasionally on leaf upper surfaces, or on buds. The grape flea beetle is often a sporadic pest of grapes during the early growing season in most growing areas. Dr. Subba Reddy PalliDepartment Chair & State EntomologistS-225 Agricultural Science Center NorthLexington, KY 40546-0091859.257.7450entchair@uky.edu, UK Entomology: Vision, Mission, & Core Values, Nancy Cox, Ph.D. These beetles are small (3/16”) and metallic blue in color. Grape Flea Beetle (Altica chalybea) | Mary Keim. ENTFACT-224: Grape Flea Beetle  |  Download PDF. The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Adults eat buds and unfolding leaves, resulting in hollowed out and leaves that emerge ragged and tattered. Damaged buds will not develop into primary canes which can reduce yields. Grape Flea Beetle – also known as the steely beetle. Native to North America. Description. When flea beetles are common and injury to the small buds is observed, a spray timed at bud swell will provide control. Severe infestations occur in vineyards that are abandoned or located near woodlands and border rows close to … Grape flea beetle is considered to be a secondary pest of grapes, but as a bud feeder it has the capability to do significant economic damage if left unchecked. When grape flea beetle is a problem, it occurs early in the season, just when the buds begin to swell. The flea beetles overwinter as adults and emerge during April. Metallic, blue-green beetles, 1/5 inch long, feed on buds and unfolding leaves. The adult insects move to the vines at bud swell and usually are localized within the vineyard. Try this homemade spray to control flea beetles: 2 cups rubbing alcohol, 5 cups water, and 1 tablespoon liquid soap. Flea beetle (steely beetle) This insect attacks buds of both wild and cultivated grape, and is another early season grape pest. Upon emergence adult beetles begin to feed upon newly swollen grape buds, chewing holes in the ends and sides. •The Chrysomelid beetle family has over 1,400 North American species. Photos by Eric Burkness, University of Minnesota. In the spring, adults feed directly on buds, hollowing them out during the daylight hours from bud swell to 1/2-inch shoot growth. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a native pest that attacks buds of wild and cultivated grapevines as well as our native Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). The grape flea beetle attacks the buds of wild and cultivated grapevines and the Virginia creeper. Scouting is especially critical to catch this sporadic pest in years with damaging populations. Though most tribes of the Galerucinae are suspect of rampant paraphyly in the present delimitation, the Alticini seem to form a good clade. In areas where climbing cutworms are present, pay close attention while scouting as the damage of these two pests is similar. Grape Black Rot Sprays 4. If damage has occurred in the past, check those areas of the vineyard first. The grape flea beetle (or steely beetle) is a shiny, metallic dark blue. There is only one generation per year; however, if overwintering sites (woodlands) for this insect are common nearby, then large infestations can occur. It is dark metallic greenish-blue or steel-blue and about 3/16-inch long. Grape Flea Beetle, University of Minnesota, Midwest Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide, Field Guide for Integrated Pest Management in Pacific Northwest Vineyards, Washington State University, Reviewed by Eric Stafne, Mississippi State University and Tim Weigle, Cornell University. Adults eat buds and unfolding leaves, resulting in hollowed out and leaves that emerge ragged and tattered. Adult beetles are most numerous following mild winters. 2015-41595-24254 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Cutworm spp. Grape Flea Beetle 2. Research   /   The beetle targets tasty plants in the families Solanaceae (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers) and Brassicaceae (including cole crops: broccoli, kale, cabbage, collards). Grape flea beetle or steely beetle. •The grape flea beetle is a Chrysomelid leaf beetle. The light yellow fairly conspicuous eggs hatch in a few days. Larvae feed on flower clusters and skeletonize leaves in a manner similar to adult rootworm feeding. Spring is finally here and grape buds are starting to swell. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), are small (4-5 mm), oval shaped, metallic blue-purple beetles that jump when disturbed. It is this injury to the developing buds that can cause economic losses in some years. The larvae feed on leaves for 3 to 4 weeks, then drop to the ground where they pupate in the soil, and emerge as adults in 1 to 2 weeks later. This stage feeds directly on young buds, beginning when conditions warm in the spring. The adult insects move to the vines at bud swell, and usually are localized within the vineyard. Grape flea beetles are small (3/16-inch), shiny metallic, bluish-black insects that jump like a flea when disturbed. How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles. Light Brown Apple Moth. It may jump when disturbed. The flea beetles overwinter as adults and emerge during April. Carbaryl is a broad-spectrum insecticide that provides control of many insect including Japanese beetle, grape leafhopper, grape berry moth, climbing cutworms, grape flea beetle, rose chafer, and other insects. How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles. Feeding by beetles results in a small (slightly larger than a pin head) hole on the sides and ends of the newly developing grape buds; Adult beetles are present in the early spring (April through May) Small insects, approximately 1/10 inch long, shiny, with enlarged hind legs used for jumping Extension   /   Adults overwinter in debris in and near the vineyard. These are often the first insect pests to begin attacking grapes. … The Grape Flea Beetle The grape flea beetle is small (3/16 inch long) metallic greenish-blue as an adult. It is dark metallic greenish-blue or steel-blue and about 3/16-inch long. •Several are a very common pests locally Cottonwood leaf beetle Colorado potato beetle Vineyard edges near woods where alternate hosts for the beetle may be growing (wild grape and Virginia creeper) are prime areas for grape flea beetles. Bonide® Thuricide® Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) for grape leaf roller and omnivorous leaf roller. Departments & Units   /   Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication. Grape Flea Beetle . Damage symptoms look similar, as both burrow into and hollow out developing buds around bud swell until bud break. Once the buds are 1/2 inch long, only slight injury is caused. Potato leafhopper. Grape Cane Borer / Apple Twig Borer (Amphicerus bicaudatus), Field Guide for Integrated Pest Management in Pacific Northwest Vineyards, grapes vineyard weed and floor management, spanish grapes general vineyard management, spanish grapes irrigation and water management, spanish grapes trellis and training systems, spanish grapes vineyard weed and floor management. Abandoned vineyards can … Adults are small (1/10 inch long), shiny, dark brown or black beetles with large hind legs that allow them to jump when disturbed. Significant damage typically occurs only in years where the weather conditions keep bud development in the susceptible stages. Once the buds reach 1/2-inch in size, beetles cannot cause significant damage. Mechanical control methods include handpicking larger pests, such as Japanese beetles and caterpillars, and removing any grapes or clusters that are injured by Asian lady beetles. Apply 1 to 2 quarts per acre per application, consult the label for rate recommendations. There is only 1 generation per year. Grape Flea Beetle - Grape Flea Beetle. Grape cane gallmaker. The grape flea beetle is occasionally a serious pest of grapes in Ohio. Sites near overwintering habitats such as woods or abandoned vineyards are especially at risk. Apply insecticide in areas where more than 4 percent of the new buds are damaged. This beetle primarily attacks buds of wild and cultivated grapevines. This work is supported by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. Grape Flea Beetle Grape Flea Beetle Larva Grape Vine Aphids Grape Cane Girdler Grape Cane Girdler Injury Cane Gallmaker Injury Grape Phylloxera Grape Root Borer Grape Root Borer Moths Grape Berry Moth Grape Berry Moth Injury A Grape Leafhopper Grape Webworm Grape Rootworm Grape Leaf … While the larvae do injure the leaves, they are rarely of economic importance. Some species may have white or yellow stripes on their wing cases. Significant damage typically occurs only in years where the weather conditions keep bud development in the susceptible stages. The Grape flea beetle, Altica spp. They become active early in the spring and lay eggs in cracks in the bark, at bases of buds, between bud scales, and on leaves. The 4 percent damage threshold has been used in balanced pruned ‘Concord’ vines and adjusted for higher or lower bud number according to variety and training system. Inspect buds early in the season during bud swell. Grape flea beetles are a metallic blue green color and about 1/4-inch long. When flea beetles are common and injury to the small buds is observed, a spray timed at bud swell will provide control. Infested canes must be cut off and burned. There is only one generation per year; however, if overwintering sites (woodlands) for this insect are common nearby, then large infestations can occur. Note:Flea beetles transmit viral and bacterial diseases. Grape flea beetle, larvae, and damage. Scars are typically formed beyond the last grape cluster. Grape flea beetle, Altica chalybea Illiger This is a metallic blue-green beetle that is almost 5 mm long. Grape Cane Borer (.pdf) – Cornell University; Shothole Borer – UC-Davis; Beetles and Weevils: General. The grape flea beetle (Altica spp. Grape Flea Beetle. Larvae are yellow-brown with a dark head and feed on clusters and leaf surfaces. Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE! Native to North America. This may reduce the numbers of primary and secondary fruit clusters. Now is the time to start scouting for insects that may hollow out grape buds. Brown grubs with black spots damage the foliage by feeding on the upper surfaces of the leaves, causing the lower surfaces to turn brown. Beth reported that she did not see any insect during her scouting at WMARS on May 14, 2020 and that only two grape buds exhibited damage indicative of flea beetle or cutworm feeding. They are approximately 1/10 inch long, shiny blue-purple to blue-green with enlarged hind legs for jumping. The adults overwinter and emerge in late March when buds are start-ing to swell. Hosts include primarily wild and cultivated grapes and Virginia creeper. Symptoms       Management       Life cycle         More Info. 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