Flea beetle pest management for organic potatoes

Abstract

Several species of flea beetles are commonly found in organic potato fields in North America. Adults of many of these species feed on the leaves of potatoes and other plants in the family Solanaceae, but tuber flea beetle larvae are the most common cause of flea beetle damage to potato tubers. Some flea beetle species found in potato fields, such as cabbage and crucifer flea beetles, do not feed on potato plants or damage tubers. This guide describes the steps for flea beetle identification, damage assessment, monitoring, and management.