Life stages: eggs, larvae, pupae, adult beetles. Flea beetles overwinter as adults in plant litter on the soil surface. In the spring, adults move to potato fields and feed on the developing foliage. Females lay eggs in the soil around potato plants. Eggs hatch in about a week into tiny larvae that feed primarily on the fine roots of potato plants. After 4–5 weeks, the larvae reach maturity and pupate in the soil to become adults. This new generation of adults emerges from the soil, usually in late July, and feeds on potato leaves.
Flea beetle populations are higher when potatoes are grown close to crucifer crops.
