Flatheaded root borer

The Flatheaded root borer (genus Capnodis) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Buprestidae. These beetles are serious pests, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, known for their ability to devastate stone fruit orchards by attacking the root system and the base of the trunk.

These beetles primarily target stone fruits, including apricots, peaches, cherries, plums, and almonds. To a lesser extent, they may attack pome fruits such as apples and pears. Young orchards are particularly vulnerable, as the larval tunneling activities can easily girdle and kill young trees within a single season.

The life cycle of Capnodis typically spans one to two years depending on the climate. Adults and larvae overwinter in the soil or within the woody tissues of the host tree. As temperatures rise in spring, adult beetles emerge, feed on leaves and buds, and mate. Females subsequently lay eggs in the soil near the root collar of the host trees.

The damage is primarily caused by larvae, which bore into the bark of roots and the lower trunk, creating winding galleries filled with sawdust. This activity disrupts the transport of water and nutrients, leading to yellowing of the canopy, wilting, and eventually the death of the tree. The physical damage often leaves the tree prone to secondary infections.

Management strategies for Capnodis focus on integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Key measures include maintaining tree vigor through proper irrigation to prevent oviposition, immediate removal and destruction of infested trees, and mechanical soil cultivation around the trunk to disrupt pupation. Chemical control with insecticides targeting emerging adults is also used when pest pressure is high.