Sweetpotato flea beetle
- Pronunciation
- /sweet-po-tay-toe FLEH bee-tuhl/
- Category
- Species
- Singular
- Sweetpotato flea beetle
- Plural
- Sweetpotato flea beetles
Definition
A small, black beetle (Chaetocnema confinis) that feeds on sweet potato plants, causing significant damage to crops.
Etymology
Named for their feeding habits on sweet potatoes and their resemblance to other flea beetles.
Example
The sweetpotato flea beetle is a major pest of sweet potato production in many regions.
Related Terms
- Flea beetles
- Sweet potato
- Pest control
Usage Notes
Sweetpotato flea beetles are often difficult to control due to their small size and rapid life cycle.