Description
Small oval-shaped beetles that grow 3 to 5 millimetres long. Beetles are shiny brown or black in colour. Larvae live underground and feed on grass and clover roots.
If alarmed, the beetles can quickly jump off plants, which is why they are often referred to as “flea beetles”.
Common native plant hosts
Broad range of potential native plant hosts including native broad leaf and coniferous trees.
Symptoms and damage
A minor pest for natives but in large numbers cause shot hole damage to leaves and eat new shoots and flower buds. Known to be a pest in orchards. Bronze beetle larvae (grass grub) are a significant pasture pest.
Adults feed at night leaving random shot holes in leaves and causing damage to leaf edges. Feeding can also cause damage to developing fruit.
Prevention and control tips
- Chemical insecticides.
- Soil treatments.