Escarabajos
Beetles
Beetles
Pathogen:
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
The beetles that affect plants belong to different families of the order Coleoptera, with chrysomelids, curculionids and scarab beetles being common. These insects have a hardened body, two pairs of wings—the first modified into elytra—and chewing mouthparts. Its complete development includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Females lay eggs on leaves, stems, roots or in the soil, depending on the species. The larvae emerge and begin to feed actively, often being more voracious than the adults. In the case of species such as the cucumber beetle (Acalymma spp.), the larva feeds on roots, while the adults consume leaves and flowers. Some species have only one generation per year, while others can complete several in warm climates. Adults emerge from the pupa in the soil or within plant tissue, and usually begin feeding and reproducing immediately. Their ability to fly allows them to disperse quickly, colonizing new crops or ornamental plants.
SYMPTOMS
In plants, beetles cause direct damage to both aerial and underground parts, depending on the type of beetle. Continuous feeding can reduce leaf area, weaken plants, interfere with flowering and fruit formation. In severe infestations, they can cause complete defoliation or death of young seedlings. Additionally, some beetles act as vectors for bacterial or viral diseases.
- Irregular holes in leaves and flowers
- Leaf edges bitten or completely consumed
- Damage to roots and stems in the case of underground species
- Sudden wilting in young plants
- Aborted flowers or incompletely formed fruits
- Presence of adult beetles or larvae visible on plants
- General reduction in growth and vigor
- Dark droppings visible near affected areas
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
20°C - 32°C
40% - 70%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Flight, Direct contact between plants, Contaminated transplants, Cultivation tools, Clothing or footwear, Remains of infected plants
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• Copper oxychloride 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] W/W
• Azoxystrobin 25% [SC] W/V
• Laminarin 4.5% [SL] W/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• COPPER OXYCHLORIDE 35% (exp. in Cu) [WG] P/P
• LAMINARIN 4.5% [SL] P/S
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
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- Carry out frequent visual inspections, especially in spring and summer
- Manually remove visible adults and larvae when populations are low
- Apply chromatic traps or pheromones for monitoring and capture
- Encourage the presence of natural enemies such as birds, parasitoid wasps or entomopathogenic nematodes
- Avoid prolonged monocultures that favor their proliferation
- Rotate crops and use more resistant varieties when available
- Till the soil after harvest to expose pupae or larvae
- Place physical barriers such as mesh or floating covers on sensitive crops
- Apply contact or ingestion insecticides only when strictly necessary
- Alternate products with different modes of action to avoid resistance
- Clean agricultural tools to avoid their transfer between plots
- Avoid leaving plant remains where they can take refuge during the winter
Recommendations
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