Sap beetles are a family of beetles who get their name from the adult beetles’ consumption of tree sap. They co-exist with fungi and are pests to several crops like strawberries and corn.
These beetles are divided into several subfamilies, classified into various genera.
Unassigned genera
Size: 0.078-0.236 in (0.2-0.6 cm)
Color: Most are dull colored, though some have red or yellow spots or bands on them.
Other Characteristic Features: They have knobbed antennae and oval bodies.
These larvae are cream-colored, with a brown head. They look like worms and are around ¼ inches long.
After 3 weeks, the larva starts to undergo pupation.
They lay eggs near or on decaying or dead plant material or inside fruits of the host plant.
| Lifespan | 2-2.5 months |
| Distribution | Europe and Siberia |
| Habitat | Boreal and tropical areas |
| Seasons active | April to May |
| Host Plants | Corn, muskmelons, raspberries, strawberries, and tomatoes |
| Diet | Over-ripe or decomposing fruits as well as the fungus that feeds on them. The adults also feed on tree sap. |
These beetles can be a considerable pest to crops in both the larval and adult stages. By laying eggs inside certain fruits, they contaminate them. Some may also damage trees by entering through wounds already present.
