Adult elognated flea beetles are glossy black, extremely little (less than 1/16 inch long), and rounded, with big hind legs for leaping.
The bug gets its name from its rear legs. The bug, like a grasshopper, will leap off the plant when approached or handled. The appearance of the larvae varies depending on the species.
They generally resemble corn rootworm larvae but have a more slender build. Their body is milky white and cylindrical, with a black head capsule and three pairs of legs directly behind the head. The bodies of certain animals taper toward the head.
Root feeding by larvae can cause economic damage to maize in rare circumstances. The eggs are white, elliptical, and extremely small.
Territory:
It is found in North America
Damages caused by Elognated Flea Beetle:
The appearance of feeding scar tissue in flea beetles differs from that of an adult corn rootworm. Feeding on grasses (including maize) generally manifests as extremely thin sections where the green leaf tissue has been stripped, leaving a transparent membrane (epidermis of the leaf). If the pest’s feeding causes bacterial wilt, an irregular lesion can be noticed, beginning at one end of the feeding scar.
Life history and Habits:
Most flea beetle species overwinter as adults. Adults overwinter in field rows, roadside ditches, and other sheltered locations. Adults leave their overwintering habitat in the spring as soon as sufficient foliage is available for eating and egg deposition. Eggs are laid on plant leaves or near host plant root systems. Larvae hatch and feed on host plant root systems. The eating and developmental habits of flea beetles have received little attention. During the growth season, most species complete one or two generations. However, overwintering adults cause the majority of harm to maize plants.
