Flea beetle is the name applied to a wide variety of small, dark colored jumping beetle species. Flee beetles can be quite destructive to a wide variety of plants as the larvae feed on plant roots and adults chew through leaves, stems and petals. Flee beetles have a life cycle with 4 stages, and there are between 1 and 4 generations per year depending on the species. Adults overwinter in the soil or garden debris before laying their eggs, usually at the base of plants. Eggs hatch in about a week, and the small larvae then feed on plant roots in the soil for a few weeks before pupating. New adults emerge about a week later.