Chiloloba acuta

Systematic position: Chiloloba acuta is a species of beetle belonging to the order Coleoptera, family Scarabaeidae, and subfamily Cetoniinae. It is widely recognized as a significant agricultural pest in various Asian regions, known for its destructive impact on flowering crops and developing grains.

Crops damaged: This pest shows a strong preference for various graminaceous plants, particularly wheat, millet, and maize. In addition to cereal crops, it infests legumes and various horticultural plants, targeting the reproductive parts such as flowers, buds, and maturing seeds, which directly affects the economic yield of the crop.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle of Chiloloba acuta includes egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. The adult beetles are highly active during the day, particularly in warm weather, when they feed on blossoms. The larvae primarily inhabit the soil, feeding on roots and organic matter, which contributes to their survival throughout the developmental phases before emerging as adults.

Nature of damage and harmfulness: The primary injury is caused by the adult stage, which feeds on the pollen and ovaries of the plants. This feeding activity leads to incomplete grain formation and significantly reduces the crop quality. High population densities can cause severe damage within a few days, especially if the infestation coincides with the flowering and grain-filling stages.

• Application of systemic and contact insecticides during beetle outbreaks.
• Implementing crop rotation to prevent soil-borne larval population buildup.
• Deep tillage and soil cultivation to disrupt pupation sites.
• Utilizing light traps to monitor and reduce adult beetle density.
• Maintaining field borders free of weeds that serve as alternate hosts.