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Tomato leaf damage #935927

Asked June 17, 2026, 7:42 PM EDT

Lower leaves on a container grow plant have white circles about a millimeter diameter. Some circles you can see through. Photograph attached.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for your question.


What is striking about the leaf spots on the tomatoes is they are white. The spots typically found in tomato fungal diseases are brown to black. See:

https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/tomato/leavesspots.html

When white spots are observed, these are usually due to flea beetles (Epitrix cucumeris). Although they have a common name of potato flea beetle, they readily feed on tomatoes as well. The adults feed on the leaves, making small pits, whitish scars, and tiny round holes. Heavy feeding on young transplants can stunt growth or, rarely, kill very small plants. Older, vigorous tomato plants can usually tolerate moderate leaf feeding; fruit is rarely directly damaged.

See the following for further information including remedial procedures:

https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/flea-beetles

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/flea-beetles-vegetables/

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/factsheets/flea-beetles-minn.pdf

Good luck in dealing with these critters. Please get back to us with any additional questions. Thanks for using our forum.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 17, 2026, 9:45 PM EDT

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