Grapevine Beetle

The grapevine beetle, also known by the names spotted June beetle, spotted grapevine beetle, and spotted pelidnota, flies fast with a curving flight. It does very little harm to its host plants and is attracted to lights at night. Its specific name, ‘punctata’ is the Latin word for ‘marked with punctures or pricks’.

Scientific Classification

  • Class:Insecta
  • Order:Coleoptera
  • Family:Scarabaeidae
  • Genus:Pelidnota
  • Species:P. punctata

Conservation Status

Not EvaluatedNE

Not Evaluated

Data DeficientDD

Data Deficient

Least ConcernLC

Least Concern

Near ThreatenedNT

Near Threatened

VulnerableVU

Vulnerable

EndangeredEN

Endangered

Critically EndangeredCR

Critically Endangered

Extinct in the wildEW

Extinct in the wild

ExtinctEX

Extinct

Description

Grapevine Beetles

The beetle is approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size but can reach 1.2 inches (3 cm) in length. Its color is auburn red or off-yellow, with 4 black spots running down each side. The edges of its elytra are distinguished with fine black lines. The species has regional variations. The northern form has darker legs than the more common southern form. Plus, the adults in the northern part of its range have more spots that are darker in color. In contrast, the southern form may have no spot at all.

Spotted June Beetle

Distribution: Eastern part of North America from Maine and Ontario in the north to Florida in the south and ranges to South Dakota and Texas in the west.

Habitat: Forests, woods, thickets, vineyards, and gardens.    

Spotted Grapevine Beetle

Do They Bite/Sting: No.

Lifespan: 2 years.

Predators: Blue jay, pallid bat, and raccoon.

Behavior and Characteristics

Diet

The adults eat the fruits and leaves of grapevines, both cultivated and wild, but are not considered a major pest of vineyards.

Life Cycle

1. Egg Stage

The oval eggs are laid on tree stumps, rotten wood, or on soil near the host plants.

Grapevine Beetle Larvae

2. Larva Stage

The larvae hatch from the eggs in a few weeks and can grow to a length of 2 inches. They dig into the soil to feed on rotten wood.

3. Pupa Stage

Pupal chambers are built near the surface of the soil where pupation occurs.

Pelidnota punctata

4. Adult Stage

The adults come out in July. They are active all spring and summer.

Getting Rid of Grapevine Beetles

An infestation is best left alone, as spraying chemical-laden pesticides will do more harm than good. But if things are getting pretty out of control, one can hand pick them out, use an organic insecticidal soap spray, or sprinkle diatomaceous earth to get rid of them.

FAQs

Q. Are grapevine beetles poisonous?

No, they are not poisonous or harmful to humans.

Source

uwm.edu, bugguide.net, ontarioinvertfarm.com, wallpaperflare.com, inaturalist.org, jungledragon.com

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