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Sap Beetle: a late season pest of strawberries in Louisiana
Strawberry fields in the Tangipahoa and Livingston areas have recently been invaded by the sap beetle or picnic beetle. This beetle belongs to the beetle family Nitidulidae. The scientific name of this beetle is Lobiopa insularis (Cast.). The sap beetle has a complete life cycle -- adults lay eggs on ripe fruit, larvae hatch from those eggs and feed on fruit producing large empty voids in the fuit. In my observations, the fruits that were attacked were laying on the plastic mulch on the top of the rows. Larvae will pupate in the soil, and adults emerge from those pupae. Both larvae and adults will feed on fruit, making it unmarketable.
This beetle is attracted to ripe fruit and is particularly active when temperatures begin to rise in the late spring. I have observed ripe fruit heavily damaged by the feeding of this beetle and its larvae.
Controls of this pest include maintaining a clean field. Be sure to remove and discard any damaged fruits from the field. Harvest on a daily basis if possible to remove ripe fruit before it is attacked by the beetles. Frequent spraying with pesticides is required to kill adults and minimize damage. Be aware that spraying pesticides can cause spider mite problems to increase. Be sure to follow all chemical label recommendations and observe the proper preharvest intervals. Pesticides that are labeled to control strawberry sap beetles include Brigade.
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| Posted on: 5/1/2008 3:15:37 PM |
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