{"id":1220,"date":"2020-08-14T14:42:26","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T22:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/agsci-labs.oregonstate.edu\/vegnet\/?p=1220"},"modified":"2020-12-29T15:28:48","modified_gmt":"2020-12-29T23:28:48","slug":"sap-beetles-in-corn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agsci-labs.oregonstate.edu\/vegnet\/2020\/08\/14\/sap-beetles-in-corn\/","title":{"rendered":"Sap Beetles in Corn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When people talk about beetle pests in corn, they’re usually referring to damage that occurs below the soil level. For many species, including western corn rootworm<\/a>, wireworms<\/a>, and white grubs, the common name refers to the immature stage that attacks corn roots underground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when i saw this beetle-looking-larvae feeding ON<\/strong> developing kernels<\/span> this week, I was intrigued and confused. And “well, maybe I was a little bit… ‘concerned'” [obscure movie quote, congrats if you know it ;)]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Look in maturing ears with loosened husks or bird damage. They’re pretty good at camouflage, eh? For a closer view, watch this video<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Coleoptera: Nitidulidae are small, oval to elongate beetles with clubbed antennae and shortened elytra (wing covers). Feeding habits vary, but adults tend to feed on fresh or decaying organic matter. Because of this, they are often called fungus or pollen beetles (e.g. Meligethes aeneus<\/em> in brassica, canola, and clover production). Aethina tumida<\/a><\/em>, the small hive beetle, is another example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The specimen I found near Scio is probably Carpophilus<\/em> lugubris<\/em><\/a>, a N. American native and known pest of sweet corn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n