Corn Insects

Corn Flea Beetle, Chaetocnema pulicaria.

Corn flea beetles are small, shiny, jumping beetles that strip the upper surface from seedling corn leaves. Injury is most likely to occur on two- to four-leaf stage corn when cold temperatures slow growth. Carefully assess injury before applying controls as the extent of the damage is often overestimated. Frequently, satisfactory results can be obtained by restricting applications to spot or border treatments. Provided the growing point has not been killed and growing conditions have been favorable, the corn should recover with little effect on yield. Treatments are seldom warranted if populations on two-leaf corn remain below four to five beetles per plant. Commercial seed treatments can provide reasonable protection against flea beetles in some situations. See product labels for more information.

Please refer to the most recent version of the Corn Insect Management Guide for treatment options.

Page last updated 11/02/2013 by J.P. Michaud.

For more detailed information on the biology and management of corn flea beetle, please KSRE publication MF2832: Corn Flea Beetle.