CALL TO THE BLUEBERRY COMMUNITY:
It is a good time to sample for Prionus beetles in blueberries! We encourage blueberry growers to inspect their blueberry fields for any signs of adult beetles emerging from the ground. These beetles usually emerge from the soil very close to the base of the blueberry plants. Insecticide applications are not recommended at this point, so please avoid conducting unnecessary treatments against these beetles!
BE AWARE that the presence of adult Prionus beetles in blueberry fields alone doesn’t necessarily mean the blueberry field is infested.Only blueberry roots with feeding larvae are an indication of blueberry infestation.
Developing effective management of Prionus species in blueberries requires a comprehensive understanding of their biology, regular monitoring, and integrated tactics. Thus, community-wide coordination is crucial for effectively diagnosing infestations and collecting information about this pest.
If you see these beetles on or near your blueberries, please contact the small fruit entomologist, Lorena Lopez, at llopezq@ncsu.edu to schedule a farm visit or talk details on how to sample blueberry roots to confirm or discard possible a Prionus infestation.
