_____________________________________________________________________ 

This leaflet is produced by the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, Solomon Islands, with support 
from IPPSI: 

Improved Plant Protection in Solomon Islands, a project financed by ACIAR, the 

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra. Authors: Helen Tsatsia, MAL & 
Grahame Jackson, TerraCircle Inc. 

 

Extension Fact Sheet 22: 

Sliperi kabis Flea Beetle  

 

 

 
Common name: 

Sliperi kabis or 

Neka flea beetle                                                        

 

Scientific name: 

Nisotra basselae 

 
Hosts: 

Sliperi kabis (Abelmoschus manihot), possibly Hibiscus tilaceous (under lab 

conditions, but not seen in the field); not on 

Sida, nor the garden hibiscus, Hibiscus 

rosa-sinensis.  
 

Damage 

 
Adult beetles feed on leaves creating many, small (5 mm diameter) holes (photo, 
right). The damage is so severe that in many places in Solomon Islands people have 
stopped growing 

sliperi kabis. The larvae feed on small roots, especially the tiny root 

hairs. Whether this affects the growth of the plant is unknown. 
 

Biology and Life Cycle 

 
Eggs are laid singly or in 
small batches just below the 
surface of the soil. They hatch 
after 8-9 days. The larvae 
remain in the soil for 12-18 
days, feeding on small roots. 
They moult twice before they 
pupate. After pupating for 4-6 
days, adults emerge from the 
soil. Males emerge first, 
taking 6-8 days to become 
sexually mature; females take 
3-5 days. The adults disperse 
by walking, jumping and flying. They may drop to the ground if disturbed.  

_____________________________________________________________________ 

This leaflet is produced by the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, Solomon Islands, with support 
from IPPSI: 

Improved Plant Protection in Solomon Islands, a project financed by ACIAR, the 

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra. Authors: Helen Tsatsia, MAL & 
Grahame Jackson, TerraCircle Inc. 

 

The number of generations per year is unknown. Research into the biology of the 
beetle is being done in Solomon Islands. 
 

Detection and inspection 

 
Look for small holes in the leaves and the presence of beetles. The adult beetles are 
about 4 mm long and can be found on both sides of the leaves. The head and part of 
the section below are orange/brown (photo, left). The wing cases are black. The 
beetles are less obvious during the hotter times of the day, when they move under the 
leaves.  
 

Management 

 
Quarantine: 
Temotu, and Rennell and Bellona Provinces are free from of the beetle. Therefore, no 
leaves of 

sliperi kabis or other parts of the plants should be taken there. Extension 

services should constantly remind people of this, with messages on the radio. 
 
Natural enemies: 
Parasites of the adults include nematode worms and mites. The adults do not seem to 
be affected by the presence of the fire ant, 

Wasmannia auropunctata. Nisotra may be 

toxic to visual predators, like birds and lizards. 
 
Cultural control: 
There are a number of possibilities: 

•  Plants grown under shade may have fewer beetles; however, too much shade gives 

poor plant growth; 

•  Thick mulches of straw, grass or other organic materials (several centimetres 

thick) may prevent female beetles from laying eggs at the base of the stems; 

•  There is some evidence that planting in clover reduces infestations; 

•  Plant sliperi kabis far from plants infested with the beetle; the beetles do not fly 

long distances; 

•  Plant more sliperi kabis in the wet season when beetle numbers are lower; 

•  Hand pick the beetles when infestations have just started; this will delay beetle 

populations reaching damaging numbers later; 

•  Cultivate the soil at the base of the plants to expose eggs, larvae and pupae to the 

sun and predators. 

 
Chemical control: 

•  Orthene (acephate) is often used in Solomon Islands; other insecticides, such as 

synthetic pyrethroids are likely to be effective and safer to use.  

•  Lambda cyhalothrin and permethrin are available in Honiara. Before these 

chemicals are used, farmers should read the instructions on their safe use. 

•  A variety of Derris, brought many years ago from Papua New Guinea, is effective 

as a spray. It contains rotenone, an insecticide. Plants are being multiplied by 
MAL and KGA for evaluation by growers. Contact those organisations for plants 
to test.