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The culprit is the flea beetle, which, like its namesake, jumps away when disturbed. The small, shiny, black, brown or blue beetles emerge in April and May, after winter hibernation, ready to start feeding. Eggs laid near host plants hatch in late

Of the leaf beetle family, flea beetles are small, jumping insects, which feed mainly on root vegetable crops and brassicas.

AphidsBay leaf suckersFlea beetleRosemary leaf beetle

Pollen beetleFlea beetleRosemary leaf beetleWoolly aphids

.a range of ornamental plants, trees, shrubs, herbs, some vegetables, fruitspring, summerMore common garden pestsAphidsScale insectsFlea beetleEarwigs

potatoes and shallots as they matureSow swedes and cover with fleece to prevent seedlings being attacked by flea beetleSow seeds of vegetables, including beetroot, cabbage, endive, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, rocket, spinach and turnips

-autumn.Treat the lawn with an insecticide containing imidacloprid from May to October.lawns, strawberries, brassicas, some ornamental plantsspring to autumnMore common garden pestsPea and bean weevilsCaterpillarsFlea beetleEarwigs

plantsall year roundMore common garden pestsAphidsFlea beetleEuonymus scaleWhitefly

, butterflies and hoverflies. Its strong scent can also deter aphids. Plant with carrots and leeks to confuse pests.LavenderWormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is a strongly scented herb that can deter aphids and flea beetles from attacking neighbouring plants. Its

to the seeds.AdamFlea beetle can be a problem in summer, nibbling holes in rocket leaves. The best defence is to cover the row with a length of horticultural fleece or a fleece-covered mini tunnel.Advice on growing salad cropsRead Pippa Greenwood's blog