Farmers urged to check crops as flea beetle active in oilseed rape

Flea beetle is active in oilseed rape crops in parts of the country. Make sure to check your crops. Do not plant crops and walk away from them.

Oilseed rape crops are most at risk while they are emerging and at the cotyledon stage.

Once they hit two true leaves, they should be passed the biggest threat from the insect.

Flea beetle is a major pest of oilseed rape, but does not normally impact on crops in Ireland. It contributed to a major fall in the oilseed rape area in England.

The hot and dry weather this summer has likely helped the insect’s populations.

Some crops may need to be sprayed, but many may not. The key is to keep an eye and act fast where needed.

If spraying, you can discuss the insecticide you want to use with your agronomist. Carnadine is a relatively new product to the market and it claims to give good control of cabbage stem flea beetle.

Carnadine can be applied at 200ml/ha from one leaf to nine leaves. Take a look at crops and if unsure on whether to spray or not then ask your agronomist.

Emerging

Crops that are emerging evenly and quickly may not need to be sprayed. However, crops that went into seedbeds that were not tilled very much, where trash is visible or where crops were not rolled may be at higher risk.

Flea beetle can wipe out crops in a number of days, but if crops grow quickly the risk is much lower.

Make sure to check for slugs while in fields.