Stoneborer Beetle

Overview

Common Names

Stoneborer Beetle, Pit Grubs

These small narrow bodied beetles are common to forested regions, and are considered a pest species as they can be quite disruptive to orchards of peach, and plum trees.

Description

Classification

Arthropod, Insect

Size

2 cm long as adults

Appearance

A long bodied beetle with glossy metallic blue-green carapace. They have a pair of 2.5 cm long thin antennae which sweep back along the beetle's body.

Variance

Ecology

Habitat

Tropical to temperate forests

Diet

Adults - primarily nectar, and overripe and rotting fruit; Grubs - the seeds (pits) of stone bearing fruits; primarily drupe fruits (plums, peaches, dates) and cherries.

Behaviour

Social grouping

Outside of mating there is no notable social grouping of these beetles.

Temperament

tend to be oblivious, but will fly away if disturbed

Intelligence

negligible

Reproduction

Adult beetles will bore a hole into the pits of drupe producing trees fruit. The beetles then lay several eggs in the centre of the fruit, which eat the seed as they develop. By the time the fruit itself is ripe and falls, the juvenile beetle grubs pupate, and emerge as adult beetles.

Domestication

General

The stone borer is seen as a pest to drupe fruit bearing trees, and a large infestation can severely damage a harvest. Most orcharders will kill any beetles they see which even passingly resemble the stoneborer to be safe. No one has found an useful purpose for the beetles, although the beetles, like many similar insects, do pollinate many flowers and plants during the flowering months. It is only during late summer that they attack the fruit on trees.

Resources

The beetles are edible, as are their grubs; sufficient quantities would provide good protein. They are food for wysp snatches and other insectivorous birds and animals.