Flea Beetle 2019

[Gong Farmer]

One of our members just reported losing 250 acres of rape already, sown mid August


Wiltshire

 

[Brisel]

Roughly where in Wiltshire please?

 

[Pilatus]

One of our members just reported losing 250 acres of rape already, sown mid August


Wiltshire

Are you able to say how it was established?

 

[Green oak]

I’ve been noticing a smaller flea beetle. Probably a flax beetle. But have been just niggling away at the rape. Had to spray as was just not getting away from it. Still got plants but small considering drilled on the 10th. But noticeable difference this morning with 6.5 mm of rain on it too.

 

[Brisel]

I’ve been noticing a smaller flea beetle. Probably a flax beetle. But have been just niggling away at the rape. Had to spray as was just not getting away from it. Still got plants but small considering drilled on the 10th. But noticeable difference this morning with 6.5 mm of rain on it too.

Are you a NIAB TAG member? Their traps have been catching other flea beetles as well as CSFB.

 

[Pilatus]

Are you a NIAB TAG member? Their traps have been catching other flea beetles as well as CSFB.

Out of interest are the other flea beetles as harmful as CSFB?

 

[B'o'B]

Out of interest are the other flea beetles as harmful as CSFB?

Adult feeding on very small plants - maybe. Larvae damage to stems and petioles - no.

 

[Pilatus]

Adult feeding on very small plants - maybe. Larvae damage to stems and petioles - no.

Thankyou

 

[cotswold farmer 1977]

Early planted Osr seems to have escaped the flea beetle this year for the time being, will be interesting to see how the stuff planted last Sunday fairs, no companion for the later planted but still the same variety

 

[B'o'B]

I combined quite a few CSFB when harvesting linseed yesterday.

 

[yellow belly]

In the spring summer I saw some with 2 stripes on their back also smal black ones on spring rape
See bigger black shinny ones mostly now
Not seeing much damage on volunteers

 

[Fish]

I combined quite a few CSFB when harvesting linseed yesterday.

I don't think I have harvested a single crop that hasn't contained csfb this year, no need for them to migrate cos the feckers are already there.

 

[MrNoo]

I don't think I have harvested a single crop that hasn't contained csfb this year, no need for them to migrate cos the feckers are already there.

Did not see any in any crops I combined/dried but one thing I did note was loads of large black beetles, never seen so many in the loads, everywhere, not sure if they eat flea beetle but have never seen so many.

 

[Renaultman]

Did not see any in any crops I combined/dried but one thing I did note was loads of large black beetles, never seen so many in the loads, everywhere, not sure if they eat flea beetle but have never seen so many.

Do you mean Stag beetles?

 

[MrNoo]

No they werent stag beetles as didnt have the two pincer parts but were the same size as a stag beetle

 

[MrNoo]

Actually looking at images of stag beetles, they may well have been, they just didnt have the 2 pincer/jaw type apparatus on them

 

[Renaultman]

I'm sure I have read recently they eat flea beetle. I haven't got very many

 

[Gong Farmer]

Actually looking at images of stag beetles, they may well have been, they just didnt have the 2 pincer/jaw type apparatus on them

Carabids/ground beetles? If so it's good news, they gobble up slug eggs.

 

[Renaultman]

Just been out for an early morning insecticide run, second of the season.

 

[Brisel]

Would you treat this? Approx 30% of the crop looks like this. The rest is ok.