Shaggy flower beetle

The shaggy flower beetle, scientifically known as Oxythyrea funesta, belongs to the Scarabaeidae family. It is a highly active and mobile pest that poses a significant threat to orchards and ornamental flower gardens across many regions.

This beetle is a generalist feeder that attacks a wide variety of plants. It is particularly attracted to fruit trees such as apple, pear, and stone fruits, as well as various berry bushes and ornamental flowers like roses and tulips during their flowering stage.

The biology of this pest involves a single generation per year. Adult beetles overwinter in the soil and emerge in early spring, precisely when fruit trees begin to bloom. Their activity cycle is closely synchronized with the flowering phenology of their host plants.

The damage caused by the shaggy flower beetle is severe. They feed on the reproductive parts of flowers, specifically consuming stamens and pistils. This destruction prevents successful pollination, resulting in poor fruit set and significant yield losses for the grower.

Effective management strategies for controlling this beetle include:

• Manual removal of beetles by shaking them off branches onto catch sheets early in the morning.
• Utilizing mass trapping techniques with attractants or colored water containers.
• Implementing soil cultivation in late autumn to disrupt the beetle's overwintering sites.
• Applying insecticides only outside of peak pollinator activity hours to protect bees.