African Black Beetle

Latin name: Heteronychus arator

The African Black Beetle (Heteronychus arator) is a native species of southern Africa that has found its way to the coastal regions of Western Australia since the 1930s. This beetle is capable of causing significant damage to a wide variety of horticultural crops, making both its adult and larval stages a concern for farmers and gardeners alike.

Let's delve into its identification, life cycle, and effective management strategies to understand better and manage the African Black Beetle. The adult beetles are the primary pests and reside in the soil. On the other hand, the larval stage, which remains in the ground for only three to four months each year, also contributes to the challenges posed by this beetle.

The economic impact of the African Black Beetle can be substantial due to its ability to attack various plants. Pasture, including newly sown ryegrass and perennial grasses like couch and Kikuyu, can fall victim to these beetles. Additionally, cereal crops such as barley, triticale, and wheat are susceptible, though oats seem less attractive. Forage crops like millet and maise irrigated and dryland, also face potential damage. Furthermore, the African Black Beetle threatens vegetable crops, especially potatoes, and can even impact grapevines, olives, truffle orchard trees, ornamental plants, and newly planted trees like blue gums. While the larvae are of lesser economic concern, they still can harm turf and underground crops, particularly potato tubers.

In effectively managing the African Black Beetle, a comprehensive approach is necessary. This may involve regularly monitoring infestation levels, implementing selective insecticide treatments when necessary, and adopting appropriate cultural practices to discourage beetle populations. By staying vigilant and employing integrated pest management strategies, minimising the damage caused by these pests and maintaining the health and productivity of our horticultural crops is possible.

Solutions:

• Contact: Apparent Surround, Proforce Scarlet Trio, or Proforce Rumbler 1000SC