Flea beetles chew multitudes of small holes in a shot-hole-like pattern, often destroying small, young plants. - Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, www.insectimages.org

Western black flea beetles are especially problematic in the West, attacking cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, radish, corn, and other crops. - Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, www.insectimages.org

Tobacco flea beetles attack potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper. They can destroy young transplants with the shot-hole-like feeding. Larvae (grubs) in the ground get into the roots of older plants to severely weaken them. - Clemson University USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, www.insectimages.org

Larvae of the spinach flea beetle chew holes in spinach foliage to quickly ruin the leaves. They also attack beets. Adult beetles are about 1/5 of an inch long with a greenish-black back, yellow neck, and black head. - Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, www.insectimages.org

Flea beetles are tiny beetles that jump like fleas when disturbed. Several species feed on potatoes, eggplant, corn, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and other vegetables. They appear in spring after spending the winter in the ground, in tall grass or garden refuse, depending on the species. Some species attack the foliage, weakening the plant or ruining the harvest. Others feed on the roots, which can kill the plants. The easiest way to identify them is by their tiny size and the fact that they jump like a flea. They also typically make "shothole" like damage to leaves. If your eggplant looks riddled with tiny holes, you can blame it on flea beetles.

To control flea beetles, spray with a pyrethrin, neem, or insecticidal soap product as soon as you see them. They can multiply fast. It's also important to clean up the garden, don't leave dead plants lying around where they can raise a new generation in your own garden year to year.