Carpophilus lugubris
| 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.
Description[edit]
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.
Habitat[edit]
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]
Distribution[edit]
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]
Life cycle[edit]
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]
Ecological impacts[edit]
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]
Management[edit]
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]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Capinera, J. (2001). "Dusky sap Beetle". Handbook of vegetable pests. Elsevier Science & Technology.
- ^ a b c d e f g Marini, F.; Audisio, P.; Mutinelli, F.; Montarsi, F.; Cline, A,R.; Gatti, E. (2013). "First report in Italy of the dusky sap beetle, Carpophilus lugubris, a new potential pest for Europe". Journal of Pest Science. 86 (2): 257–160. doi:10.1007/s10340-013-0479-9. S2CID 254197864.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Bartelt, Robert; Hossain, Mofakhar (2010). "Chemical ecology of Carpophilus sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and development of an environmentally friendly method of crop protection". Terrestrial Arthropod Reviews. 3 (1): 29–61. doi:10.1163/187498310X489981. ISSN 1874-9828.
- ^ a b Bartelt, Robert J; Kyhl, John F; Ambourn, Angie K; Juzwik, Jennifer; Seybold, Steven J. (2004). "Male-produced aggregation pheromone of Carpophilus sayi, a nitidulid vector of oak wilt disease, and pheromone comparison with Carpophilus lugubris". Agricultural and Forest Entomology. 6 (1): 39–46. doi:10.1111/j.1461-9555.2004.00201.x. S2CID 84701357.
- ^ Cooke, L. (1994) Insect drafted to fight fungus it spreads. Agricultural Research 42 (7). Pp 13.
- ^ Pengna, F; Sacchetti P.; Canuti U.; Trapani, S.; Bergesio, C.; Belcari, A.; Meggiolaro, F. (2017). "Radio frequency irradiation treatment of dates in a single layer to control Carpophilus hemipterus". Biosystems Engineering. 155: 1–11. Bibcode:2017BiSyE.155....1G. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.11.011.