black flea type bugs eating potato plants

14 years ago

I sprayed them with neem and seem to help, but what kinda bug are they? Also I have many many lady bugs on my potato plants, GOOD or BAD?

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Comments (5)

jean001
14 years ago
If very small -- about 1/8 inch-- and jumpy, they're likely flea beetles.

Not good if they're eating leaves.
paulns
14 years ago
Lady bugs, not potato beetles? Try a google image search. One year we had potato beetle larvae on our potatoes, which kind of resemble ladybugs...We would go around with cans of soapy water and knock them in.

Here is a link that might be useful:
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If it is springtails (sounds like it), they should be pretty harmless to your plant & everything else. Best approach, with minimal effort, would be to maybe change your watering habits. If you haven't already been doing this, let the soil dry (at least one or two inches from the top) before watering it, and soak it throughout when you do. Just keep an eye on the plant to make sure it's not wilting, water it if it does. I've been having similar issues with gnats (they like similar conditions as springtails) & cutting down on humidity has done wonders. Definitely not worth repotting if it's only to get rid of springtails, but don't be intimidated by the process. When you do need to repot it, research (google) & make sure you're using the right type of soil. Then just watch one of many youtube videos of people repotting their plants and you should be more than ready.
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Hello folks - thanks for shedding some light on this - if anything it makes me relieved to hear bugs may not be at play so I dont have to worry about stuff breeding etc lol. I dont think Clemson does soil testing here, but I heard something local from someone at work which I will follow up on. The sun has been the same every spring/ summer - no change there. We moved here 2 years ago during fall - they were growing fine then. Next summer I may not have watered them enough as I saw burn spots on the hydrangea leaves and some of them were big patches. Following fall I hired someone for some yard work and they said our hydrangeas/ rose etc. had grown a lot and needed trimming so they went ahead and trimmed everything to 2-3 feet. The spring after (this year) - these guys esp the hydrangeas have been growing like crazy with less flower output than last year. I have also been watering more regularly - although there are still some burn spots - not as bad as last summer. So that's about all the history I know about these guys ;-) Btw - I m worried the pyroligneous acid will kill useful soil bacteria/ bugs as well. And doesn't it go against the theory that bugs are not at play here? Thanks.
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mamamia_farmer
14 years ago
I companion plant beans with potatos. The potatos keep away the mexican bean beetle and the beans keep away the potato beetle. One of my more successful companion plantings. Flea beetles are tougher. Have you tried diatomaecous earth? Google it. It is a powder that is actually sharp microscopic exoskeletons of an ancient creature. Works well against many insects. try to use it only where you need it because it will also kill beneficials. I had something in my cowpeas a week ago and the Diatomaecious earth seems to have made them go away. the good news is that I bought mine at Lowes so you don't have to wait for an internet order.

This year I am trying radishes for a companion plant to combat squash bugs, cucumber beetles and flea beetles. I read that if left to go to seed they will deter such critters. I'll let you know how it works. If anyone knows of a good companion to deter flea beetles I would love to hear about it.
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
14 years ago
If anyone knows of a good companion to deter flea beetles I would love to hear about it.

Me too. Last year they loved my radishes. Riotte states a catnip tea repels flea beetles and if they return I think I'll try it.

Dan
slacker
Original Author
14 years ago
yep they where black flea beattles. One dose of neem took care of them. Also the lady bugs were just that. There might have been some potato beattle larva there too, but if there was the neem took care of that too. Lady bugs are a good thing to have in the garden ? Right?

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black flea type bugs eating potato plants

Comments (5)

jean001

paulns

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Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)

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black flea type bugs eating potato plants

Comments (5)

jean001

paulns

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Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)

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