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image of adult

by

UC - Davis

Adults:
The adults are small, hard beetles, have an elongated oval shape with enlarged hind legs and are about 1/16 inch (2 mm). The potato flea beetle is all black with no markings. Adults are easily disturbed and jump quickly, often traveling considerable distances.

Eggs:
The very small pale yellow eggs are laid in the soil, on leaves or in cavities hollowed out in the stem of the plant. The eggs hatch in about 7 to 14 days.

Larvae:
The larvae are small, slender white worms that feed primarily on roots and underground stems of the plant for about 7 to 10 days.

Pupae:
The larvae transform to pupae in the soil near the base of the plants on which they have been feeding.