Black goldilocks - how to save a garden from larvae and beetles

Zlatka is a large family of beetles, including 15 thousand species. The main variety of insects is observed in the tropical and subtropical zone. In the temperate zone, there are about 200 species of goldfish. Many of them are dangerous pests of fruit trees and shrubs. Beetles of small and medium sizes gnaw on the bark, branches, roots and buds of cultivated plants. Black-and-white goldfish is a typical member of the family. Insects settle in orchards, where they cause significant damage to stone fruit trees.

Morphological description of the species

Black goldfish (Capnodistenebrionis) - a beetle from the family of goldfish, a genus of black-eyed. The body size of adults is 14-29 mm (females are larger than males). The color is black, sometimes with a bronze or purple metallic tint. The head is vertical, eyes are large, occupy most of it. Antennae short, serrate, transverse segments at apex. The forehead is slightly depressed and covered with puncture of large points. On the crown several longitudinal grooves.

Information. The adults of black goldfish are distinguished by thick, strong integument. Beetle is difficult to crush.

Pronotum transverse - wider than long. The front edges are rounded, protruding slightly beyond the elytra. Scutellum densely covered with punctures, white wax coating and a pattern of smooth embossed spots. At the leading edge there is a notch with a protruding angle.

Elytra wedge-shaped - slightly elongated at the apex, narrowed at the margin. The surface is covered with grooves from elongated points. Hind wings transparent, with strong venation, darkened. The limbs are short, strong, can be pressed against the body.

Distribution area

The species Capnodistenebrionis is thermophilic; therefore, its distribution range is limited to countries with a mild climate. Beetles are found in southern Europe, in North Africa, Turkey, Iran. Insects are common in Kazakhstan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Moldova. In Russia they live in the south of the Volga region, in the Caucasus. Beetles are found in the mountains at an altitude of up to 1600 m.

Developmental biology

The development of black goldfish takes 2-3 years. Winter diapause is characteristic of larvae and adults. The offspring are waiting for the cold in the roots of fruit trees, and adults under a layer of soil. The period of activity of beetles begins after warming the earth to 20 °, in early May. Years of imago lasts until September, part of the goldfish continues the life cycle for the next year. Heat-loving insects prefer to stay on the sunny side of the trunk. Beetles are especially active on hot days. Comfortable conditions for them are 28-33 °.

Information. The beetles are shy and cautious, in case of danger they press their paws to the body and fall to the ground.

After leaving the diapause, the whole life of the goldfish takes place on the trees where they feed, mate, lay eggs. Beetles gnaw on the bark of young shoots, eat away the kidneys. Females are more voracious, this feature is associated with the need to obtain nutrients for future offspring. The life expectancy of females is 370 days. In autumn, the main part of beetles dies, only some females remain for the winter.

Breeding

Mating beetles begins 2 weeks after sleep. They manage to replenish the necessary reserves.The breeding period is delayed until September. For several months, the female manages to lay from 250 to 2000 white oval eggs. Clutches are located in the cortex near the basal neck, on leaves, in soil cracks. Beetles choose weak trees for the ovipositor. The highest activity is observed during the day, at a temperature of 29-30 °. Eggs need a dry substrate, an increase in humidity of over 50% leads to mass death of the offspring. If there is no suitable soil near the trees, then the females leave their eggs at a distance of 1 m from the feed object. Embryo development takes 10-20 days.

Larva lifestyle

Hatching larvae independently get to the roots of trees. Bundles of body hair help them move in the soil. In older ages, this device disappears. At the first age, the larvae on the antennae have sensitive cones, primitive organs of touch. The head is brown, the upper lip is rounded, the lateral lobes are poorly expressed.

Information. For some time, the offspring are left without food. During this period, high temperature, accelerating metabolic processes, contributes to their death, at 27 ° the larvae live 3 days, and at 15 ° - 7-8.

Before drilling into the roots, they molt. Fodder plants of black goldfish are: apricots, peach, plum and other stone fruits. The larva is yellow-white, legless. The body is elongated, the abdomen is thin. Prothorax widened, head drawn into it. Outwardly, the larva resembles a series-connected chain of 13 segments. It is able to stretch and compress the body in the longitudinal direction.

Larvae lead a hidden lifestyle, all the while staying under the bark of the roots. They prefer roots with a diameter of 2-3 cm, gnaw wide passages that clog with drill flour. The tunnels descend to a depth of 30 cm. Development takes 2 years. After its completion, the larva constructs an oval cradle for pupation. It happens in the spring. The camera is located in the region of the basal neck, its size is 3 by 1 cm. The hole on the stroke side is clogged with sawdust. Pupa yellow-white, develops 10-12 days. The size of the pupa is 28 mm; the rudiments of legs, wings, and antennae are noticeable in it. Young adults feed before the cold and go into the soil for wintering.

Malware

Black goldfish causes serious damage to stone fruits; in nurseries, larvae cause the death of young growth. Beetles that live in the crown gnaw on the bark, petioles of leaves, buds and buds. With the mass reproduction of insects, trees completely lose their foliage. Gardens are most affected in the southern regions with a dry climate. Various stone fruits are at risk: peach, cherry plum, cherry, almond. In tropical countries, beetles feed on avocados and mangoes.

Methods of struggle

A set of effective pest control measures will help to reduce the effects of black batch on the trees and preserve the crop.

Agrotechnical methods

Agrotechnical measures play the main role in the fight against pests in gardens and nurseries. Recommends the following rules:

1. In the process of laying gardens and nurseries carefully remove residual roots from the soil on which black larvae of larvae can remain.
2. Regular watering of trees during the laying period leads to the death of 80-90% of the masonry.
3. The destruction of thickets of thorns and cherry plum located near the garden. Plants serve as breeding sites for the pest.

Mechanical methods

1. On a plot of land a small area of ​​insects is shaken off the trees. This method destroys adult beetles.
2. In spring and summer, clippings of branches and bark infected with goldfish larvae are cut. Damaged areas are treated with garden var.
3. Trees that have dried up as a result of exposure to beetles are uprooted and burned.

Biological methods

Steinernemacarpocapsae nematodes are used to control larvae. They penetrate the body of the host and after a few days lead to the death of pests.Nematodes do not harm trees, humans, or animals. Biological preparations created from roundworms are also used. Symbiotic nematode bacteria isolated in a separate preparation eat the goldfish larvae.

The natural enemies of black goldfish are the parasitic flies Sarcophilalatifrons and chitin wire. They also reduce the number of pest offspring. Insectivorous birds (jays and crows) destroy adult beetles.

Chemical way

An effective method of combating any pests is spraying plants with insecticides. The economic threshold for harmfulness of black goldfish is 2 adult beetles on one tree. If more insects are found, the garden must be treated with chemicals.

To destroy beetles, timely spraying of the crown, boles and soil near the trees with preparations based on organophosphorus compounds: Diazonin, Karbofos, Fention, allows synthetic pyrethroids to cause paralysis and quick death. Processing of trees should be carried out a month before harvesting.