At least six species of flea beetles attack vegetables in North Carolina. Potato, tobacco and corn flea beetles are most common and have wide host ranges. The striped flea beetle is limited to plants of the cabbage family, the eggplant flea beetle to eggplant, and the sweetpotato flea beetle to sweetpotatoes, corn, and plants of the morning glory family.
Adults attack the foliage and chew small, round holes giving a 'shot-hole' appearance.
Larvae feed on the roots of host plants. Biology Adults generally overwinter and trash around fields of host plants, and move to weeds and plant beds in early spring and later to transplanted vegetables and garden plants. They are most destructive to young plants. They lay eggs scattered on the soil beneath host plants. There are usually 3 instars.