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Altica foliacea LeConte. A metallic blue-green flea beetle that often severely damages crape myrtle and Mexican heather. This beetle emerges in early spring when the adults and larvae develop in high numbers on a weed, evening primrose, Oenothera spp. As the beetles mature and the evening primrose is consumed or dies, May-June in north Florida, the beetles disperse to other plants. They are often seen on many species of plants, but feeding damage is primarily on crape myrtle in June. The adult beetles scrape the undersurface of the leaves leaving unsightly brown splotches. The beetles jump when disturbed and are easily detected. Several insecticide applications to saleable nursery stock and targeted to the beetle adults are often necessary. Natural enemies prey upon the beetle on its weed host, but probably have little impact on other hosts.
Common host plants: crape myrtle, evening primrose.
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