Canola
and Mustard: Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae and Phyllotreta striolata)
| Author: |
OMAFRA Staff
| | Creation Date: | 04
July 2005 | | Last Reviewed: |
15 June 2009 |
Excerpt from
Chapter 6, Field Crop Protection Guide, Order
this publication Table of Contents - Description
- Integrated
Pest Management Options
- Related
links...
Description
There
are two species of flea beetles that attack canola. The striped flea beetle is
approximately 1.5 mm long and has two cream-coloured strips along its back.
The crucifer flea beetle is bluish-black, 1.5 mm long and does not have stripes.
Flea beetles jump when disturbed, hence their common name. The larvae are white,
approximately 3 mm in length and have brownish heads. 
Image 1. Striped (left) and crucifer flea beetle adults. Flea
beetle injury can be severe during first three weeks after emergence.
Integrated Pest Management Options
Hot, dry weather favours this pest. Fortunately,
once the crop reaches the 3-4 leaf stage, the plants are generally established
and can compensate for the feeding damage. If beetle damage exceeds 50%
of the cotyledon or leaf area, and if the weather is warm and dry, a foliar insecticide
may be needed. Canola and mustard are a valuable honey source and are
well used by honeybees. Keep insecticide application to a minimum while crop is
in bloom.
Seed Treatment
imidacloprid – Gaucho 480 FL
| Active ingredient | imidacloprid |
| Trade name | Gaucho 480 FL |
| Rate (product) | 820-1,640
mL per 100 kg seed | Comments
Not for use in hopper-box,
planter-box, slurry-box, or other non-commercial seed treatment application. Do
not graze livestock on treated areas for 4 weeks after planting. Do not use mustard
greens that have Gaucho 480 FL seed treatment for human consumption. Use higher
rate if flea beetle populations are high.
thiamethoxam + difenoconazole + metalaxyl M +
fludioxonil – Helix Xtra | Active
ingredient | thiamethoxam + difenoconazole + metalxyl M + fludioxonil |
| Trade name | Helix Xtra |
| Rate (product) | 1.5 L per
100 kg seed | Comments
Not for use in hopper-box,
planter-box, slurry-box, or other non-commercial seed treatment application. Follow
resistance management recommendations as stated on label.
imidacloprid + carbaithiin + thiram – Gaucho
CS FL | Active ingredient |
imidacloprid + carbaithiin + thiram | | Trade
name | Gaucho CS FL | | Rate
(product) | 1.4 L per 100 kg seed | Comments
Not for use in hopper-box, planter-box, slurry-box, or other non-commercial
seed treatment application. Do not graze livestock on treated areas for 4 weeks
after planting. Do not use mustard greens that have had Gaucho CS FL seed treatment
for human consumption. Follow resistance management recommendations as stated
on label.
clothianidin + carbathiin + thiram + metalaxyl
– Prosper FL | Active ingredient |
clothianidin + carbathiin + thiram + metalaxyl | | Trade
name | Prosper FL | | Rate (product) |
1.25 L per 100 kg seed | Comments
Not for use in
hopper-box, planter-box, slurry-box, or other non-commercial seed treatment application.
30 day plant-back on cereal grains, grasses, non-grass animal feeds, and soybean
and dried beans is required. 1 year plant-back interval is required for leafy,
root and tuber vegetables. Can be tank-mixed with Poncho 600 FS for longer season
control of flea beetles. Follow resistance management recommendations as stated
on label.
Postemergence
Canola is
a valuable honey source and is utilized by honeybees. Bees also pollinate the
crop. If spraying an insecticide, ensure there are no honey-producing hives in
your area.
cypermethrin – Ripcord 400 EC
| Active ingredient | cypermethrin |
| Trade name | Ripcord 400
EC | | Rate per hectare (product) |
50 mL per ha | | Rate per
acre (product) | 20 mL per ac | Comments
Canola
only. Ground application only. Apply when signs of insect damage appear.
Repeat treatment if necessary. Use minimum 110 L of water/ha. 30 days to harvest.
deltamethrin – Decis 5 EC
| Active ingredient | deltamethrin |
| Trade name | Decis 5 EC |
| Rate per hectare (product) |
100-150 mL per ha | | Rate
per acre (product) | 40-60 mL per ac | Comments
Ground and aerial application. 14 days to harvest.
cyhalothrin-lambda – Matador 120 EC and Silencer
120 EC | Active ingredient |
cyhalothrin-lambda | | Trade
name | Matador 120 EC and Silencer 120 EC | | Rate
per hectare (product) | 83 mL per ha | | Rate
per acre (product) | 33 mL per ac | Comments
Ground and aerial application. Maximum 3 applications per year, 1 may be by
air. Tank-mixing with clay-based fungicides (e.g., Lance or Ronalin) is not recommended
as these fungicides may affect insecticide efficacy. Do not apply within 7 days
of harvest.
carbaryl – Sevin XLR Plus
| Active ingredient | carbaryl |
| Trade name | Sevin XLR Plus |
| Rate per hectare (product) |
500 mL per ha | | Rate per
acre (product) | 200 mL per ac | Comments
Seedling
stage only (up to 4 weeks after plant emergance). Ground and aerial application.
60 days to harvest.
carbofuran – Furadan 480 F
| Active ingredient | carbofuran |
| Trade name | Furadan 480
F | | Rate per hectare (product) |
150 mL per ha | | Rate per
acre (product) | 60 mL per ac | Comments
Ground
and aerial application. Apply 2 weeks after seeding or when insects are first
noticed. Do not use less than 100 L of water. 60 days to harvest for canola and
21 days to harvest or grazing on mustard. Minimum period for re-entry is 48 hr.
Related links...
For more information:
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Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
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