Fuller Rose Beetle: Appearance, Territory, Damage and Life Cycle

Latin Name: Asynonychus Godmanni Root Tuber and Bulb Feeders Appearance: Adult Fuller rose beetles have a brown nose and no wings, and they reproduce without mating (parthenogenetically). The Fuller rose beetle’s head and protruding eyes are distinguishable from the cribrate weevil’s teardrop-shaped head and closely spaced eyes, and the Fuller rose beetle’s snout is less sharply directed to the ground than the vegetable weevils. Hosts Plants: Maples, azaleas, camellias, citrus, persimmon, pineapple, strawberry, beans, peach, rose, and potato are all common host plants. Adults and larvae both eat on the plant, although adult feeding is more visible and destructive. Territory: The Fuller rose beetle is found in at least 30 states in the United States. Damage Insect Cause: Although the beetle does not often cause economic harm in citrus, the presence of viable eggs on fruit transported to other countries such as Korea can be a quarantine worry. Since the Fuller rose beetle has been discovered in Japanese citrus orchards, it is no longer a threat to fruit shipped to Japan. Adult Fuller rose beetles feed along the edges of citrus leaves, generating notches and leaving a distinctive pointed, ragged look. They are normally not a problem, especially on topworked trees where bugs feed on new buds, or if a young tree is put in a mature grove and beetles focus their eating on that tree’s new growth. Life History and Habits: Each year, the Fuller rose beetle produces one generation. Eggs are placed in clusters of several dozen on fruit, particularly behind the button, or in tree cracks and fissures. When the eggs hatch, the larvae fall to the ground and dwell in the soil for 6 to 10 months or more, feeding on citrus roots. As a last option, spraying a pesticide (such as Sevin) for rose weevil control will typically give good results on the adult beetles with some control of the larvae. However, it is advised that alternative methods of control be tried first, since stronger treatments will also kill the beneficial bugs in our crops. Article 2 Fuller Rose Beetle (Asynonychus godmanni) Common Name: Fuller Rose Beetle Latin Name: Asynonychus godmanni Appearance: Adult Adults are 6 to 8.5 mm (a third of an inch) long and brownish grey (with intermixed white scales). The eyes are lateral and protruding, and the rostrum (snout) is somewhat bent towards the ground. The insect cannot fly because the elytra (wing coverings) have united. Egg The 1 mm (1/25 inch) long yellowish cylindrical eggs are deposited in a mass and coated with a white sticky substance. They are found in bark cracks and crevices, between leaves, and under fruit calyces. Larva The legless white larva has a yellowish head capsule with contrasting black mandibles. When completely developed, it is 10 to 12 mm (almost 1/2 inch) long. Host plant: The adult host of the Fuller rose beetle is a rose variety (Rosa spp.). Citrus (Cucurbita), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), beans (Phaseolus spp.), peach (Prunus persica), rhubarb (Rheum hybridum), and potato are common host plants for the adult (Solanum tuberosum). Territory: The Fuller rose beetle is a global species widespread across North and South America, Europe, the Mediterranean regions, South Africa, Australia, and many Pacific islands. Damages caused by Fuller Rose Beetle: Fuller rose bug is a nuisance in immature avocado plantations on occasion. It can also harm top-worked, recently grafted, or heavily trimmed trees with little mature foliage and a lot of growing juvenile leaves. Fuller rose beetle is typically found exclusively on avocado plants growing near citrus or other favored hosts. Adult Fuller rose beetles nibble leaf edges, resulting in a ragged, notched, or serrated look that is distinct from damage from other pests such as snails. There is no indication that root feeding affects yield, and no research has been conducted to assess if root feeding predisposes plants to Phytophthora infection. Leaf chewing is not economically significant on older trees with a well-developed canopy.   Life history and habits: The Fuller rose beetle has one generation a year. Eggs are placed in a pile of several dozen on fruit, especially behind the button or in cracks and fissures in the tree. When eggs hatch, larvae drop to the ground and reside in the soil, feeding on citrus roots for 6 to 10 months or more. They pupate in the soil, and the adults emerge 1.5 to 2 months later.