To send a message to an author, click on the author's name at the end of an article. Most insect pest outbreaks are not predictable. The timing of black cutworm and European corn borer infestations can be predicted, but not their population or potential for damage. The corn flea beetle is one pest where the relative numbers and potential damage can be predicted. The corn flea beetle overwinters as an adult in grassy areas.
High flea beetle numbers and damage occur during a cool, wet spring after a warm winter.
When winter temperatures are low, poor survival results and few early season problems occur. A warm winter allows good flea beetle survival and a cool, wet spring slows corn growth during the two to three leaf stage. Corn flea beetles then have a chance to feed on the young field corn leaves for a long time. Typical damage causes silvering and even death of the leaves. The economic threshold for flea beetles attacking seedling corn is 5 or more per plant with significant feeding when the plants are under stress.