Blueberry flea beetle

Altica sylvia

The blueberry flea beetle has four life stages: egg, grub (larva), pupa, adult. The blueberry flea beetle spends the winter in the egg stage in litter. The eggs are orange-yellow in colour, about 1 mm long and are oval in shape. Most eggs hatch over a 2 to 3 week period in the spring.
In New Brunswick, larvae (the grub stage) begin feeding on the leaves and buds before they are fully expanded. In southern NB, larval populations have been collected starting from mid-May. Peak populations occur from late May until mid to late-June, then gradually decline. In northern NB, peak larval populations occur from late May to late June, then gradually decline. The larva goes through three instars (stages), with the largest instar being approximately 6 mm long. The larval stage lasts from 10 to 19 days, depending upon the temperature. The larva is dark brown to almost black in colour. It is similar in appearance to that of the blueberry leaf beetle larva which is lighter brown (and much less common). Six legs can be seen under the body behind the head. The full-grown larva crawls into the leaf litter to transform into a pupa to become an adult. The development period for a mature larva to become an adult is 15 to 28 days (average 17 days). The pupa can occur 12 mm into the soil. It is oval in shape, 4 to 5 mm long and is initially orange in colour. 
The adult is 5 mm long, oval in shape, shiny, and coppery bronze in colour. The adult is called a flea beetle as it has an enlarged area on the hind leg and jumps when disturbed. In southern NB, adult populations have been collected from early July until autumn, with peak populations occurring from early July to mid-August. In northern NB, adults have been collected from just before mid-July until autumn, with peak populations occurring from mid-July until early September. Newly emerged adults mate after approximately 10 to 14 days. Eggs are laid a few days later. This would indicate that the majority of eggs are laid from mid-July to late August in southern NB and from late-July to late-August in northern NB. Eggs are laid singly, near the base of the plant or in leaf litter. The adults do not survive the winter.

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