Beetles make small pits in leaves. This type of injury is capable of killing young plants. In addition, beetles may act as vectors of plant disease. Life History - Striped flea beetles overwinter among debris in and around fields. Emerging early in spring, they attack seedlings and young plants.
Eggs are deposited in tiny crevices gnawed out of the base of host plant stems.
About 10 days later, grubs hatch from the eggs and move into the soil to attack roots. After feeding for 3 or 4 weeks, the larvae pupate for 7 to 10 days. A new generation of beetles then emerges. There are at least two generations each year in North Carolina. Stripes of gauze physically protect seedbeds from flea beetles.