It’s small. they are everywhere. Just when you think summer is going well, they show up.
Sap beetles belong to the Nitidulidae family and are not your typical garden invaders. The order Coleoptera includes more than 2000 species of beetles, each of which has a very unique taste. They do not chew leaves or dig in the soil. They want fermentation.
You can find them around souring plant fluids. This means rotten fruit. It means moldy logs. It can also mean fungi.
If you’ve ever set out a bowl of ripe peaches to attract birds, it’s basically like setting out a dinner bell for beetles.
Pest anatomy
These insects are small. Usually less than 12 mm. It is 0.5 inches.
Their bodies are oval or elongated. However, their armor is slightly different. In some species, the elytra (hard wing covers) rest tightly across the abdomen. The tip of the stomach may be exposed.
This detail is important to entomologists. This hardly matters unless you want to know why your wine tastes weird.
Take, for example, the picnic beetle Glischrochilus fasciatus. It is a common species in North America. Easy to find. It is a glossy black color. Two yellow-orange bands cross the elytra. It stands out from the green tablecloth in the backyard.
Why are they important?
They are more than just curious insects. They are indicators of decay.
Their presence indicates that something is breaking down. Quickly.
For farmers, this is a problem. Sap beetles can damage the crop. It invades the fruit before harvest. The fruits look delicious on the outside. it is already fermenting.
They are a nuisance to you at home. They come in groups. They are attracted by the sugar and alcohol produced by the ripe fruit.
The next time you notice a shiny little yellow-striped beetle crawling over your leftover watermelon slices, don’t panic and smack it. Just recognize it for what it is.
Scavenger. decomposer. An unexpected guest at a picnic.
