The pigweed flea beetle is a common pest found in US farms, primarily known for attacking amaranth plants. However, it is also helpful as it keeps the population of pigweed plants down.
Size: 3 to 7mm (0.11 to 0.27 in)
Color: Their legs and antennae appear entirely black, while the head is a combination of black and red. The elytra are also black intersected with yellowish-white lines on both col3s, while the pronotum is red marked with a black dot at the center.
Other Characteristic Features: Overall, they have a striped, and banded appearance,
The rough-skinned larvae have a grayish-white body, marked with fleshy tubercles with a black tuft of hair on top. They go through a three-instar stage.
They take the larva’s grayish-white body, measuring about 0.35 mm. The pupation phase lasts for about 13 days, after which they mature into adults.
The cylindrical-shaped eggs are 1mm by 0.5mm, laid in clusters. Their color ranges between pale yellow and orange, with the ends appearing clear.
| Lifespan | 28 days |
| Distribution | Most of the US and Canada; also spotted in Mexico |
| Habitat | Agricultural areas |
| Predators | Birds |
| Seasons active | Early April to early July |
| Host plants | Amaranth, pigweeds, beets, spinach, and swiss chard |
| Diet of adults | Same as larva |
The adult beetles chew the leaves, making small, round holes. Larva also feed on foliage causing significant damage. Continuous infestation could result in distorted growth in the leaves, hampering the plant’s overall development.
Image Source: lh3.ggpht.com, budsbugs.files.wordpress.com, live.staticflickr.com, objects.liquidweb.services
The pigweed flea beetle is a common pest found in US farms, primarily known for attacking amaranth plants. However, it is also helpful as it keeps the population of pigweed plants down.
Size: 3 to 7mm (0.11 to 0.27 in)
Color: Their legs and antennae appear entirely black, while the head is a combination of black and red. The elytra are also black intersected with yellowish-white lines on both col3s, while the pronotum is red marked with a black dot at the center.
Other Characteristic Features: Overall, they have a striped, and banded appearance,
The rough-skinned larvae have a grayish-white body, marked with fleshy tubercles with a black tuft of hair on top. They go through a three-instar stage.
They take the larva’s grayish-white body, measuring about 0.35 mm. The pupation phase lasts for about 13 days, after which they mature into adults.
The cylindrical-shaped eggs are 1mm by 0.5mm, laid in clusters. Their color ranges between pale yellow and orange, with the ends appearing clear.
| Lifespan | 28 days |
| Distribution | Most of the US and Canada; also spotted in Mexico |
| Habitat | Agricultural areas |
| Predators | Birds |
| Seasons active | Early April to early July |
| Host plants | Amaranth, pigweeds, beets, spinach, and swiss chard |
| Diet of adults | Same as larva |
The adult beetles chew the leaves, making small, round holes. Larva also feed on foliage causing significant damage. Continuous infestation could result in distorted growth in the leaves, hampering the plant’s overall development.
Image Source: lh3.ggpht.com, budsbugs.files.wordpress.com, live.staticflickr.com, objects.liquidweb.services
