Enjoy idMicrobe TOTALLY FREE, with no trial periods.

Flea

Chaetocnema Tibialis

Pathogen:

Insect

Type:

Risk:

INTERMEDIATE

DESCRIPTION

Pathogen description

Chaetocnema tibialis, commonly known as the spinach flea, is an insect belonging to the Chrysomelidae family. The adults of this pathogen have a length of approximately 2-3 mm, and are recognized for their ability to jump long distances, which makes it easier for them to move between plants. Their life cycle begins when adults lay eggs in the soil near host plants, mainly spinach and other similar vegetables. The larvae emerge from the soil and feed mainly on the roots of plants, weakening them from their early stages of growth. After several molts, the larvae pupate in the soil and emerge as adults. This cycle continues during the warm months, which can lead to several generations per year depending on environmental conditions. Adults are especially active during spring and summer.

Disease description

The disease caused by Chaetocnema tibialis severely affects spinach and similar vegetables, weakening the plants through direct damage to the leaves and roots. Adults pierce the leaves, creating small lesions that reduce the photosynthetic capacity of the plant. This damage not only slows growth, but also makes it easier for other secondary pathogens to enter. Affected leaves develop Taches and perforations that can lead to premature defoliation. Young plants are particularly vulnerable, as damage can result in stunted growth or even plant death.
- Small holes in the leaves
- Defoliation in advanced stages
- Damage to roots in young plants
- Dark Taches around the perforations
- Retarded or stunted growth in severely affected plants

TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

20°C - 30°C

40% - 80%

VOIES DE TRANSMISSION

Direct contact with plants, flight of adults, dispersal through wind, transplantation of infested plants

Chemical treatments

CONTROL

• DELTAMETHRIN 2.5% [EW] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
• TEFLUTRIN 0.5% [GR] P/P

Treatments authorized in organic farming

• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V

Biological control

Preventive treatments

- Use floating covers to prevent adults from reaching the plants, especially in the first months of spring.
- Maintain an adequate crop rotation, avoiding planting spinach or similar vegetables in previously infested areas.
- Promote crop diversity by intercropping non-host plants to reduce the concentration of Chaetocnema tibialis.
- Implement the use of yellow sticky traps to capture adults in flight and reduce their population in crops.
- Apply specific insecticides recommended for flea control, always following the recommended doses and application times.
- Ensure good soil management, since larvae develop in the soil; Practices such as tillage can help expose them and reduce their survival.

Recommendations

Would you like to add this disease to your field notebook?

*The recommended treatments are recommendations based on the authorities' databases and do not replace in any way the guidelines established by the legislation of each country.