small black almost round bugs/beetles eating the center of every daisy head. what to do to get rid.

[piratecat]

that's it realy, I've not had this type of plant before, it's a white Argyranthemum. Just looked and there are also some holes in the petals.

Do i get an insecticide? or something else. thanks

pollen beetles? www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=799. RhS says they should be tolerated.

oh thanks, they do look like that, have never seen one before. I was thinking they could be flea beetles, after googling, but as it says in your link they love pollen, and are only on the yellow bits making craters!

I picked them off, so will continue to do that rather than get chemically involved. It seems, looking at other advice that is they were flea beetles, it's almost impossible to get rid of them properly. I live in a very rural area.

flea beetles jump if you wave your hand near them, or tap the plant. you can get spray, which if used a few times does get rid of them. plus watering as they don't like wet. guess who's had them recently on a load of her veg chomping holes

oh no, having googled, i have seen many saying they have no leafy veggies left.

Can you recommend a spray? I have shaken the flowers and they hurry further into the center, or if near the edge will fall off. No jumping seen so far!

don't sound like flea beetles then, if they don't all jump. if its only a few holes i wouldn't bother. sorry bottle is at allotment and i can't remember name - it was bright yellow, but think there are alternatives - but sounds like your beetles are another sort

thanks, will i hold fire, as Purplewithred suggested they are most likely pollen beetle, who at the moment can be there but they must not invite too many mates!

If so i shall take matters further!