Flea Beetle
Scientific Name: Epitrix cucumeris
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera, Family: Chrysomelidae
Size: 1.5 to 3.0 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Gardens, agricultural fields, and meadows, specifically on the underside of host plant leaves.
Diet & Feeding
Adults chew small, circular holes (shotholes) in leaves; larvae feed on the roots of host plants.
Behavior Patterns
Known for their jumping ability when disturbed, similar to a flea; they overwinter as adults in leaf litter or soil near host plants.
Risks & Benefits
Significant agricultural pests that can cause severe defoliation and transmit plant diseases like bacterial wilt and potato blight.
Identified on: 6/15/2026