Topic: Small flies on my swede leaves

[gonz]

Hello All

I have got some eggs on the new leaves of my swede plants.  The flies are quite small with clear wings and a black body and the eggs are very small in clusters and are green.  Can anyone identify them with that poor description!!! and let me know if they are baddies!!!

Ta.

[Sinbad7]

Yes, baddies, it sounds like the flea beetle.  The leaves will get eaten next.

Sinbad

[gonz]

Thanks Sinbad,

will a normal organic pesticide get rid of them, I have one from B & Q that has worked on my black fly on the broad beans.

[Sinbad7]

I think you have to make sure it says it will bump off the flea beetle, I usually use derris, but then I usually use derris on most things ;D

Sinbad

[gonz]

Thanks a lot.    Sinbad

I am going to read the back of my bottle, and if not start squishing them!!

 ;D

[Sinbad7]

Good luck gonz on the squishing ;D  I bet you don't beat them and you get holes in the leaves :)

Take no notice of me I am feeling mean as this afternoon I found the little so and so's had started eating my leaves too ;D

Sinbad

[saddad]

At least they are not swede midges...  :-\

[Sinbad7]

Never heard of them Saddad, will have to look them up in case I ever come across them.

Sinbad

[davyw1]

The problem with the Flea Beetle it jumps of the plant when disturbed. It does not damage the root just the leaves but if there is no leaves the plant does not grow.
One remedy is to keep the plants moist to ensure rapid growth.
I once was told that a good method was to get some sticky strips and place them next to the plant then brush the plant and the beetle jumps off onto the glue. True honest.
I just use Ant Powder.

[gonz]

Hello again.

I had a good look at the fly on the leaves last night (whilst squishing!!!) and it didnt jump off, in fact it looked quite dozy and was happy to let me squish it!!!  I am sure I missed hundreds of them so sprayed them as well.  I will keep an eye on things and see how they get on!!! 

Thanks for your help   :)