Stop the crucifer flea beetle (Phyllotreta) with the BIOTIS 450 anti-insect netting

Alphatex is launching the BIOTIS 450 anti-insect netting. Specifically designed against the small crucifer flea beetle PHYLLOTRETA, an insect around 0.5mm. Because of its voracious appetite, it ravages turnip, radish and cabbage crops.  BIOTIS 450 is also effective against aphids, including the small Aphis Gossypii in the potato. Note that seedling flies cannot penetrate it either.

Its weight per square meter is less than 50g, which means that it can be applied directly after sowing. Moreover, no incidence of fungal has been observed when using it, thanks to its excellent ventilation. Finally, this net lasts 3 to 4 seasons in full use.

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BIOTIS 450 insect-proof net in application

The BIOTIS 450 anti-insect net is a woven net with innovative features. Its small meshes stop a large number of insect pests, including the small crucifer flea beetle Phyllostreta. And thanks to its construction, this net can be reused for several seasons.

Everything you need to know about the crucifer flea beetle

First of all, you need to know that since several years, flea beetle pressure has been increasing due to more frequent hot periods and drought. These small insects attack the cotyledons, causing necrosis and death of the tissues consumed.

Characteristics of phyllotreta flea beetles

Phyllotreta flea beetles are phytophagous insects frequently found in cabbage, radish, turnip and rape crops. This species of flea beetle is plain dark colors. With a size of 0.5 mm, this insect is very difficult to stop. That is why Alphatex spent a long time designing a net that could stop them without increasing the risk of fungal diseases.

Did you know ?!
Flea beetles have highly developed hind legs. Thanks to this characteristic, flea beetles can do leaps when they are disturbed. This has earned them the nickname of “crop flea”.

When is the small Phyllotreta flea beetle active?

Flea beetles are active between March and October. In other words, between early spring and early autumn. Their propagation process is as follows:

1. Flea beetles come out of diapause in March, when the temperature rises above 10°C, and start feeding while laying eggs at the foot of young plants.
2. The larvae that emerge from these eggs then feed on the roots. Generally speaking, this action does no real harm to the plant.
3. The larvae then transform themselves into nymph and, after about a month, become adult flea beetles. Once adult, they move up onto the foliage.
4. It is at this stage that flea beetles cause crop damage.

Please notice that flea beetles are particularly active when temperatures are between 15°C and 27°C. They are less present in crops when the weather is cooler and wetter. Flea beetles tend to congregate at the edges of fields when weather conditions are less favourable.

What are the damage caused by the small crucifer flea beetles ?

When flea beetles reach adulthood, they can cause major damage to crops. Once they are on the leaves, they feed on the upper surface. This action results in the appearance of holes several millimetres in size on the epidermis.

Subsequently, these holes can develop and perforate the entire leaf. The part not eaten by the flea beetle then becomes necrotic and end up dying.

That is why it’s so important to protect yourself against this potential damage, which causes major losses for growers.

BIOTIS 450 anti-insect netting: prevention rather than cure

The BIOTIS 450 anti-insect net is the best solution for preventing the arrival of small flea beetles. This solution is a physical barrier that prevents them from reaching and damaging crops. For more information, please click on the button below.