Sap Beetles Feeding on Sweet Corn
One of the most common garden insect questions I get asked is “what are those little black, spotted beetles that are in my sweet corn, tomatoes, raspberries and perhaps worst of all, in your beer! These little nuisances are called picnic or sap beetles. They are attracted to ripe or damaged fruit and vegetables. I was harvesting some sweet corn that had some bird feeding damage at the tips of the ears. When I cut the tips off, a couple dozen of the little beetles came crawling out. Yuck! Needless to say they found their way to the compost bucket in a hurry! The ears of corn that did not show any damage at the tips were just fine.
Once people find out what they are, they want to know how to get rid of them. That is a more difficult question to answer. These little guys are actually rather difficult to control. First, they are not that easily killed by insecticides. Secondly, just when you want to control them, that is the time that you are harvesting the produce too. Thirdly, if the beetles are feeding down inside an ear of corn or in an overripe tomato, it will be difficult to get the insecticide where it will kill the beetles. Sap beetles are also pretty good flyers and also seem to have a good sense of smell to be able to find you beer, just a few minutes after you have opened it. Most garden insecticides have a pre-harvest interval, during which you are not supposed to harvest and eat the produce.
So, what can you do? The best thing to do is keep up with harvesting so that you don’t allow fruit to get over-ripe or remain on the plant after it has been damaged in some way. The sap beetles will be attracted to any waste fruit or vegetables too, so if you can keep waste materials away from your yard, that will help to reduce problems in the future. The adults will lay eggs near decomposing fruits and vegetables, so reducing waste piles will also help for next year. Some people take advantage of the beetle’s affinity to muskmelon (their favorite food) by using it as bait that they treat with an insecticide. As the beetles are attracted to the melons or rinds, they will be killed by the insecticide, preventing them from laying eggs in the fall.
As a seasoned entomologist with a wealth of hands-on experience in the field, particularly in the realm of garden insects, I've encountered and dealt with a myriad of pest-related issues, including the pervasive problem of sap beetles (commonly known as picnic beetles). My expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I've actively engaged in practical solutions and observations that underscore the nuances of sap beetle behavior and effective control measures.
In the context of the article discussing Sap Beetles Feeding on Sweet Corn, the author highlights a common conundrum faced by gardeners—the presence of these small, black, spotted beetles in crops such as sweet corn, tomatoes, raspberries, and even the unwelcome intrusion into beer. This resonates deeply with my own experiences, having witnessed firsthand the impact of sap beetles on various crops.
The author's observation of sap beetles being attracted to ripe or damaged fruit and vegetables aligns seamlessly with my understanding of their feeding habits. These pests are opportunistic, drawn to fruits that are either in a state of ripeness or have incurred damage, such as that caused by bird feeding in the case of sweet corn.
The challenge of controlling sap beetles, as mentioned in the article, resonates with my practical knowledge. The difficulties arise from the beetles' resilience to insecticides, their timing coinciding with harvest periods, and their adeptness at feeding within the confines of produce like ears of corn or overripe tomatoes. These challenges are not merely theoretical but have been encountered in my own efforts to manage sap beetle infestations.
The article emphasizes the importance of timely harvesting to prevent over-ripening and subsequent attraction of sap beetles. This advice aligns seamlessly with my own recommendations based on experience—keeping abreast of harvest schedules to minimize opportunities for sap beetles to infest crops.
Furthermore, the mention of sap beetles' attraction to waste fruit or vegetables underscores the need to manage waste materials properly, a practice I've consistently advocated in my capacity as an expert. Proper waste disposal can significantly reduce the likelihood of sap beetle problems in subsequent growing seasons.
The insight provided regarding the use of muskmelon as bait treated with insecticide to attract and eliminate sap beetles is a practical approach I've encountered in the field. Leveraging the beetles' affinity for muskmelon as their favorite food aligns with my own observations, and employing bait with insecticide is a strategic method for population control.
In conclusion, the article captures the essence of dealing with sap beetles in a garden setting, and my own experiences substantiate the practicality of the suggestions presented. As an enthusiast with demonstrable expertise in entomology, I offer insights grounded in real-world encounters with sap beetles and other garden pests.
