Hello.
My eggplant foliage is being devoured by black beetles. They are
charcoal black with a narrow edge of gray around the periphery of the
wings. It has a small head, distinct from the body. Size varies from
1/2 to 3/4 inch long by 1/8 inch wide. They fly well and also escape
capture by dropping to the ground when disturbed.
Photo at
www.trifs.dyndns.org/black%20beetle%201.jpg
The beetle is in the center of this photo, head down. It is feeding on
an eggplant leaf which is already damaged.
I've seen this BadGuy in past gardening seasons but the population is
markedly larger this year.
Please identify this garden pest. Thank you.
Daniel B. Martin