Flea beetle biology & life cycle
Potato flea beetles feed on leaves and stems, resulting in leaves with a shot-hole appearance. Flea beetles may spread bacterial pathogens and the spindle tuber viroid. Foliar damage from these beetles is seldom extensive enough to be of concern, but may indicate future damage to the tubers. The larvae feed on tubers, resulting in a pimpled surface and small brown tunnels extending 0.06 to 0.25 inch into the tuber. Similar damage is caused by the tuber flea beetle; i.e., adults feed on foliage causing small round holes, which gives the leaf a shot-hole appearance. The larvae feed on potato tubers causing surface "tracking" or small tunnels about 0.2 inch deep. This tuber injury may reduce marketability and reduces storability.
