The mean duration of each instar is about 8.3, 9.9, 7.8, 5.8, and 7.2 days, respectively. Body length of each instar is about 0.7, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 2.0 mm, respectively. The adults are shiny black in color, with some yellow on the antennae and legs. The males are thin, measuring about 1.9 to 2.1 mm in length and 0.7 mm in width. The females are more robust, the brachypterous form measuring about 1.6 mm in length and the macropterous form measuring about 2.2 mm in length, with both forms about 1.0 mm in width.
Females generally are brachypterous.
The adults have greatly expanded hind femora and hop when disturbed. Fleahoppers and flea beetles also differ in their mouthpart configuration, having piercing-sucking and chewing mouthparts, respectively. The result is a whitish or yellowish speckling on the foliage. Extensive feeding may cause stunting of plant growth and death of seedlings. Deposition of black spots of fecal material on the plant by both nymphs and adults also detracts from the appearance and marketability of vegetables.