I have started growing vegetables this year for the first time. Everything was going great until I noticed lots of small holes in my swede and cabbages. On closer inspection I noticed some beetle like pests on them so I looked on the internet and thought that they may be flea beetles, except they are not shiny, they are very dull looking and they don't jump. they actually curl up when disturbed and drop off the leaf.
Can anyone help me and let me know if these are flea beetles or something else. Also is there any way I can get rid of them organically, as they are ruining my vegetables.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Derris dust should work - depends just how organic you are!
Thanks for the reply, so do you think they are flea beetles? Where can I get derris dust from?
hiya, cara, welcome to the site ;D
we got liquid derris from the Range, some garden centres have it and someone on here got it in a pound shop..can't help with the flea beetle question, sorry
My swede and turnip leaves have had a good flea beetle attack as usual. But I tend to leave them alone as long as the plantis growing. I think it is only when the plants are very young that they cause any lasting damage.
I have terrible problems growing roots such as turnips and swede in the past due to flea beetles. This yera I didn't sow directly out but instead grew them in seed trays. I then put out big strong plants rather than leave small seedlings. The result is that for the first time I have loads of swedes. I think that not allowing the flea beetles to get at the small, tender seedling leaves has made teh diffreence.
we seem to have them on the swet potato leaves in the poly, have treated it with derris, it's not too bad at the moment but don't want it to get any worse :)
Why use a 'killer'? Why not just 'disturb' them??
After much research I have found out what they are and they aren't flea beetles they are vine weevils. I have got rid of the worst affected vegetables and I have ordered some nematodes to get rid of the vine weevil.
Wish me luck!