The action threshold on canola plants for flea beetle damage is 25% defoliation with insects continuing to feed. Make sure to scout the newest leaves during plant growth, as these tend to be flea beetles' preferred meal.Check canola fields frequently as damage can occur rapidly.Once the crop is at the four-leaf stage, feeding will have minimal impact on yield. Conditions that slow plant development will provide a longer feeding period for flea beetles. Seeding into a warm, moist seed bed will encourage canola development and move the plants out of the susceptible stage more quickly. Add a product like Buteo™ Start to the base seed treatment to offer stronger protection. If you're expecting high flea beetle pressure, consider using an add-on seed treatment for extra control. It's a common practice to use seed treatment on canola, and all seed varieties will come with a base treatment. What can you do to minimize crop loss from flea beetle infestation? Follow these four tips: It's not uncommon to see a 10% yield loss from a significant infestation, even with insecticide treatments. Scout for flea beetle activity early on. Crop thinning and growth reduction caused by flea beetle feeding are the most severe in the first two weeks after crop emergence. Windy weather (which is quite common) causes them to feed more on the stems than the leaves.Sunny, warm, dry weather encourages their feeding activity, and droughts in parts of the Prairies over the past few years have encouraged them.Cool, damp weather slows them down (along with crop growth).The adults overwinter near the soil's surface in leaf litter and emerge in the spring, but you may also be able to spot their offspring in the fall, chewing on canola pods.Īll weather conditions affect their habits: Of the three species listed above, hop flea beetles are the first to emerge. What you should know about flea beetles (Know thy enemy!)įlea beetles typically only have one generation per year. Understanding the habits of these critters and how you can manage them will help ensure your young crop gets the best start possible.įlea beetles feed on plants of the mustard family grown across the prairie provinces and there are three main species to watch for in Western Canada: This type of damage to a crop early on can have significant impacts on the rest of the growing season, ultimately affecting yield. I'm sure you can relate to the annoyance and destruction that flea beetles bring but we're here to help you in the battle against these pests. Flea beetles have been an increasing concern in all areas of the prairie provinces with 80% of growers identifying this pest as their greatest economic risk in canola, an increase from 74% in 2020.įlea beetles first attack plants in the seedling to early vegetative stages. We're entering another growing season and pest management is key to ensuring your crop's success. Flea beetles are becoming an endemic problem and farmers have identified these pests as one of their greatest production risks.
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