Leaf beetles are out in abundance right now. You may notice small beetles on your ornamentals, vegetables, or flowers. There are over one thousand species of leaf beetles, all varieties of colors and designs. They are members of the Coleoptera order. Leaf beetles are generally small beetles and have antennae less than half the length of their body. Some common leaf beetles include cucumber, bean, and flea beetles.

Banded Cucumber Beetle	Black Blister Beetle	Colorado Potato Beetle

Cottonwood Leaf Beetle	Golden Tortoise Beetle	Yellow Margined Leaf Beetle

Leaf beetles have chewing mouthparts and will feed on foliage. Damage looks like small, irregular shaped holes similar to holes from a shotgun. The larvae of many species will feed on the roots of and tubers of plants. The larvae of other species feed on foliage.

In vegetable gardens, row covers are an easy control strategy. This keeps the adult beetles out and lets sun and water in. Products containing carbaryl, acephate, neem, pyrethrins, or spinosad used as foliar sprays can be effective against leaf beetles. However, most leaf beetle damage is merely aesthetic and not necessarily harmful to the plant.

IPM Program Specialist and Entomologist, Molly Keck
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
mekeck@ag.tamu.edu
3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212
San Antonio, Texas 78230
210/467-6575

Photos by Bart Drees, Extension Entomology. For more pictures and full descriptions visit http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/