| Carpophilus lugubris | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Nitidulidae |
| Genus: | Carpophilus |
| Species: | C. lugubris |
| Binomial name | |
| Carpophilus lugubris Murray, 1864 | |
Carpophilus lugubris, commonly known as the dusky sap beetle, is a species of beetle in the genus Carpophilus . It is an agricultural pest of corn and tomato.
A long-lived species, the dusky sap beetle can live as an adult for up to 300 days. [1] Measuring 3.3-4.5 mm, this beetle is primarily brown but has orange colouration on its elytra. [2] Depressions can be seen on each side of the pygidium, which is a characteristic of males. [2] Additionally, the genital capsule, which is quite distinct, cannot be seen from an overhead view. [2] Eggs produced by adults are white and oval in shape. [1] Similarly, the larvae can be white or yellow in body colour, with a brown head. [1] This image, taken from Marini 2013, can provide a better look at the adult morphology and colouration.
Like other sap beetles, fruit secretions are the primary food source, but they will also consume fungi, decomposing fruit and even pollen. [1] Carpophilus lugubris is capable of feeding on undamaged fruits as well, corn being its primary food source. [1] The species is long-lived, so they will take up shelter in adverse environmental conditions. One such refuge is the bottom of beehives, which are often located close to crops. [2] Going underground during the pupa and adult stages allows them to survive the winter. [1] Larva and adults will often have overlapping niches, with the larva developing on the ears of the corn and eventually feeding on the kernels. [2]
Native to North America, C. lugubris can be found throughout southern Canada, the United States, and as far as South America. [1] Reports have even indicated its spread to southern European countries, such as Italy. [2] Only very cold climatic regions are free of the genus Carpophilus. [3]
Like the typical beetle life cycle, C. lugubris has four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Eggs are often laid on the silk of corn and have a generation time of 2–4 days. 3-5 eggs will be laid at a time and the optimal temperature is 21 °C. [1] The larval stage begins feeding on corn kernels and undergoes 3-4 instars before entering the pupa stage. This stage will often last for roughly 3 weeks. [1] When ready to pupate, the larva falls to the ground and buries itself. Pupation may last 9–10 days before reemerging, but it can be longer if overwintering becomes necessary. [1] Once exiting from the ground, the adult will use pheromones to locate a new food source and possible mating location. [1]
The ability to attack undamaged fruits and vegetables makes the genus Carpophilus a large threat to economic crops. [3] Dusky sap beetle is a common pest of corn in North America, but tomato plants are also at risk. [2] Larvae present in corn kernels often go undiscovered and this can lead to their rejection and subsequent discarding. [1] The beetles can also act as vectors for fungi transfer to crop plants. [1] Related species act as vectors for disease, such as oak wilt. [4]
The use of the dusky sap beetle to fight fungal infections is a possibility as well. This involves using the beetle to deliver Bacillus subtilis , a bacterium which kills the fungus Aspergillus flavus . [5]
Insecticides are not often applied in direct response to C. lugubris, but they are still effective when targeting other species. [1] A more effective approach is to ensure that crops are not left unharvested, as these plants will provide food for overwintering individuals. [1]
The use of pheromones by Carpophilus species has influenced traps and lures to protect crops. [4]
Radio frequency irradiation is a possible way of killing larvae hidden in the fruit. [6]
In North Carolina, early corn planting has been shown to reduce the number of damaged plants when compared with later planting. [1]
Helicoverpa zea, commonly known as the corn earworm, is a species in the family Noctuidae. The larva of the moth Helicoverpa zea is a major agricultural pest. Since it is polyphagous during the larval stage, the species has been given many different common names, including the cotton bollworm and the tomato fruitworm. It also consumes a wide variety of other crops.
Cleridae are a family of beetles of the superfamily Cleroidea. They are commonly known as checkered beetles. The family Cleridae has a worldwide distribution, and a variety of habitats and feeding preferences.
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Agrotis ipsilon, the dark sword-grass, black cutworm, greasy cutworm, floodplain cutworm or ipsilon dart, is a small noctuid moth found worldwide. The moth gets its scientific name from black markings on its forewings shaped like the letter "Y" or the Greek letter upsilon. The larvae are known as "cutworms" because they cut plants and other crops. The larvae are serious agricultural pests and feed on nearly all varieties of vegetables and many important grains.
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Spodoptera littoralis, also referred to as the African cotton leafworm or Egyptian cotton leafworm or Mediterranean brocade, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. S. littoralis is found widely in Africa, Mediterranean Europe and Middle Eastern countries. It is a highly polyphagous organism that is a pest of many cultivated plants and crops. As a result, this species was assigned the label of A2 quarantine pest by the EPPO and was cautioned as a highly invasive species in the United States. The devastating impacts caused by these pests have led to the development of both biological and chemical control methods. This moth is often confused with Spodoptera litura.
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The striped flea beetle is a small flea beetle, shiny black with a greenish tinge, 1.5 to 2.5 mm long, having a wavy amber line running the length of each elytron. It is a pest of cabbage and other brassicas. The hind legs are thickened, enabling the beetle to jump like a flea when disturbed.
Helicoverpa punctigera, the native budworm, Australian bollworm or Chloridea marmada, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is native to Australia. H. punctigera are capable of long-distance migration from their inland Australian habitat towards coastal regions and are an occasional migrant to New Zealand.
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The Angoumois grain moth is a species of the Gelechiidae moth family, commonly referred to as the "rice grain moth". It is most abundant in the temperate or tropical climates of India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Egypt and Nigeria, with its location of origin being currently unknown. It is most commonly associated as a pest of field and stored cereal grains as they burrow within the kernel grains of crop plants, rendering them unusable for human consumption. By laying eggs between the grains themselves and hatching at a later time, often during the processing, transportation or storage stages, the moth can be transported to households or countries presently free of Angoumois grain moth infestations. Thus, constant protection against the Angoumois grain moth is required for grain up till the time of consumption.
Lixus concavus, commonly called the rhubarb curculio, is a species of weevil. Rhubarb is a host, together with dock, sunflower, and thistle.
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Cadra calidella, the dried fruit or date moth, is a species of snout moth in the genus Cadra and commonly mistaken for the species Cadra figulilella. It thrives in warmer conditions and is found primarily in Mediterranean countries, although it can also be found in Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Transcaucasia, Caucasus, and the western part of Russia. It feeds on dried fruits, carobs, nuts and seeds, hence earning its colloquial name. This diet damages the food industry, and it is a common storage pest. Because of this, much research has been done to study ways to limit its reproduction rate and population size. It was first described by Achille Guenée in 1845.
Ostrinia furnacalis is a species of moth in the family Crambidae, the grass moths. It was described by Achille Guenée in 1854 and is known by the common name Asian corn borer since this species is found in Asia and feeds mainly on corn crop. The moth is found from China to Australia, including in Java, Sulawesi, the Philippines, Borneo, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Micronesia. The Asian corn borer is part of the species complex, Ostrinia, in which members are difficult to distinguish based on appearance. Other Ostrinia such as O. orientalis, O. scapulalis, O. zealis, and O. zaguliaevi can occur with O. furnacalis, and the taxa can be hard to tell apart.
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