Latin: Meligethes aeneus
The small rape blossom beetles belong to the genus of gloss beetles, also called Meligethes. The rape blossom beetle with the Latin name Meligethes aeneus is common in Denmark, where it is among the pests that constitute the most significant damage in the rapeseed fields – especially in spring rapeseed.
Appearance
The rape blossom beetle is a small gloss beetle of just two millimeters. Its color is dark with a metallic shine that is usually greenish.
Biology and behavior
When the temperatures are warm, you can experience the rape blossom beetle flying around in even very large numbers. Like many other insects, the beetle is attracted to yellow colors. If you are wearing yellow clothes, it is therefore an open invitation to the rape blossom beetle, who will land on one in large numbers.
During the winter months, the adult rape blossom beetle overwinters in the earth’s top 10 centimeters. While overwintering, they can withstand temperatures as low as -12 ° C. When spring announces its arrival, they begin to emerge from their hiding places. As the temperature approaches 12 ° C, they gradually begin to make flights over shorter distances, while – when the temperature has passed 15 ° C – they begin to fly longer distances. Measurements of the flights of the rape blossom beetle have shown that it can fly as far as 10 kilometers, while the average flight distance is more in the area of one to three kilometers.
The rape blossom beetle feed on pollen, which is why they fly around visiting many different plants. In the spring, especially the dandelions and the cruciferous species are among the rape blossom beetle’s favorite places to eat, while later in the season they like to enter the rapeseed fields. Here they eat first the buds and then the flowers.
It is also the flowers that form the foundation for the females’ egg laying. The female lays her eggs on the flower buds, after which the larvae live mostly of the flower dust on them. However, a visit from the small larva can have a negative effect, as it can erode the seed plant on the flower so that it cannot bear fruit.
A rape blossom beetle female can lay up to 100 eggs. The larvae hatch after one week, after which the subsequent larval development lasts about three weeks. When the larvae are fully grown, they let themselves fall to the ground. Here they dig themselves down and continue their transformation into beetle. This process lasts for about another three weeks.
Damage
As described, the larva can cause a lot of problems, as it can damage crops by destroying the seed plant. It can have great economic significance in relation to a large number of agricultural crops such as rapeseed.
Prevention and pest control
In case of infestation by the rape blossom beetle in agricultural crops or in ornamental plants, it is recommended to seek advice and guidance from an agricultural or horticultural consultant. Sometimes the rape blossom beetle can also get lost inside, for instance through a bouquet of freshly picked flowers from the garden. In the home, however, the rape blossom beetle does no harm, so there is no need to launch further effort. Any stray guests can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner.
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"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
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