Blossom beetle

The Blossom beetle (genus Brachypterus) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Nitidulidae. These small beetles are significant pests that primarily target plants within the Brassicaceae family, including oilseed rape, mustard, and turnip rape.

The primary damage is caused to the reproductive parts of the host plants. Both adult beetles and their larvae feed on the developing buds, flowers, and pollen. This feeding activity disrupts fertilization, leading to the abortion of flowers and a significant reduction in seed yield.

The life cycle of the beetle is synchronized with the growth stages of its host crops. Adults overwinter in the soil or under surface debris. As temperatures rise in early spring, they emerge and aggregate on host plants, where they feed extensively before mating and laying eggs.

The economic impact of the Blossom beetle can be severe, especially during cool spring weather when the flowering period of the crop is prolonged. The beetles pierce the buds to reach the pollen, causing the buds to wither or fail to set pods, directly impacting the final harvest quantity.

• Crop rotation to reduce the overwintering population density in the soil.
• Control of cruciferous weeds that serve as alternative hosts during the off-season.
• Selection of early-maturing crop varieties to shorten the susceptible flowering stage.
• Monitoring pest population thresholds before making chemical intervention decisions.
• Application of approved insecticides during the early budding phase when necessary.