Strawberry Rootworm – Paria fragariae

Strawberry Rootworm – Paria fragariae   Scientific name: Paria fragariae Common name: Strawberry rootworm   Appearance: Strawberry rootworm adults are brown beetles with a shiny, oval body. The top wings show 4 dark blotches and creamy white larvae. They range in size from 3 to 3.2 mm, with slightly longer larvae.   Host plants or food: Strawberry rootworms feed mainly on strawberries, as well as on azalea, sourwood, rhododendron, and blueberry.   Territory: Throughout North America   Mode of damage: Strawberry rootworm adults love chewing on leaves, while the larvae feed on strawberry roots during the summer.   Habits and life history   Strawberry rootworm adults usually come out at night to feed. They overwinter in the soil and become active in the months of April and May. The adult beetles feed on the foliage, and the females lay eggs on the underside of the leaves near the soil. The larvae hatch from the eggs and drop into the soil, feeding on the roots and converting into pupae. The transition from larvae to adults usually occurs between mid-July to August. They produce one generation annually.