A beetle thought to be benign in crop circles may be doing subterranean damage.
The larva of Aphodius distinctus, a beetle species common across Canada, could be feeding on the living roots of plants, augmenting its usual menu of rotting organic matter in the soil.
Agriculture Canada entomologist Kevin Floate is asking farmers to report on high white grub densities, send samples of the grubs if possible and note the cropping history of fields where high numbers are found.
Floate said there is growing suspicion that the beetles can damage crops, but more research is needed to prove or disprove it.
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“From what I’ve read, this species is only supposed to be feeding on rotting organic material in the soil,” he said, but a dated paper on the beetle suggested it sometimes feeds on grass roots.
“I thought, well, let’s try and get a closer look at this.”
Now Floate is seeking information on types of crops where the grubs are found, extent of damage and whether farmers think control is needed.
The insects overwinter as adults, and favour fields with some type of cover for laying eggs in spring.
At the current stage in their life cycle, the resulting grubs will be small and not easily visible.
“People usually don’t see them until they see some sort of die off in the field,” Floate said.
“Whether these white grubs are causing the problem, or whether there’s something else there but the grubs are just more visible, we don’t know for sure.”
Reports can be directed to Floate at Kevin.floate@agr.gc.ca or at 403-317-2242.
