Rocket descimation - any ideas?

[reetnproper]

Hi guys,

I've just had to dispose of my entire rocket crop and 50% of my land cress (including my latest set of seedlings of each) due to an annoying little beetle which has left tiny holes in just about every single leaf, and I have no idea what it is .

I'd love to be able to post a picture to help with the ID but this little critter is so fast (kinda hops), I'm hard pressed to catch a glimpse never mind take a picture.

It's about 4mm in length, looks to be greyish in colour with what looks like a hooked protuberance from its' snout .

Any suggestions on what it might be so that I know where to start googling for a solution? Or better still has anyone who knows what it might be, got any idea what I can use to dissuade it from continuing to reside amongst my 'peppery leaf' crops?

Many thanks
Reet
x

[frogdoctor]

Reet..I`d go for a flea beetle...

[frogdoctor]

Reet..some pics

[OllieMartin]

Flea beetle - WikiGardener Wiki

[reetnproper]

Thank you frogdoctor and Oliie. Definitely looks like flea beetle.

Have googled for an organic solution and come up with the following recipe for an organic deterrent against caterpillars, greenfly and flea beetles:

Use equal amounts of Garlic, Chopped onion, Mint and Lavender stems. Cover with boiling water and leave to stew for 24hrs. Strain and then pour into sprayer.

This is also supposed to be a good deterrent for mossies and can be used as a personal insecticide.

I have copious amounts of ALL the above in the garden and so I'm going to have a go at this, tonight once the sprogs are in bed. I'll let you know how I get on .

Cheers
Reet
x

[oldie]

Are you aware that our masters in Brussels have banned the making of these concoctions. You can make foliar feeds but not insecticides.

[reetnproper]

Are you aware that our masters in Brussels have banned the making of these concoctions. You can make foliar feeds but not insecticides.

Ooops, I meant it was a foliar feed .

Reet
x

[taff]

you can still eat the rocket, it just doesn't look very nice