North Dakota State University Extension Entomologist Jan Knodel is encouraging canola growers to scout fields as flea beetle activity increases with warmer temperatures. “The most susceptible stage is the seedling to four-to-six leaf stage,” said Knodel. “That’s when the flea beetle can really inflict a lot of damage.” Knodel said insecticide seed treatments remain the primary management tool, but growers should monitor fields closely due to signs that some flea beetle species may be developing tolerance to certain products. Foliar insecticide applications may be justified when average defoliation reaches 20 to 25 percent.
