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Small shot-hole damage
PestLow impact
Tiny round holes peppered across leaves, typically caused by flea beetles. Most damaging to young seedlings and transplants; established plants usually grow through it. Most active in warm, dry spring conditions.
Key facts
- Type
- Pest
- Affects
- Kale
- Active season
- Apr - Oct
- Peak season
- Apr - May
- Vulnerable stages
- Sown · Transplanted · Growing
- Spread rate
- moderate
- If confirmed
- Act soon
Signs & symptoms
- -many tiny round holes scattered across leaves, particularly new growth
- -young leaves appearing severely pepper-shotted
- -small (2-3mm) bronze or black beetles visible jumping from leaves when disturbed
Management
Do now
- -Cover young plants with insect-proof mesh immediately if damage is severe
- -Water plants well - drought-stressed plants are far more attractive to flea beetles
Prevention
- -Cover seedlings and transplants with fine mesh from the outset in spring - flea beetles are most problematic in April-May
- -Establish plants quickly with warmth and adequate watering; strong plants outgrow damage faster
Further reading
- -Flea beetles are most damaging to seedlings and young transplants; established plants usually outgrow the damage without intervention
- -They overwinter as adults in soil and leaf litter and are most active in warm, dry spring weather