Meligethes aeneus

Meligethes aeneus
Meligethes aeneus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Superfamily: Cucujoidea
Family: Nitidulidae
Genus: Meligethes
Species: M. aeneus
Binomial name
Meligethes aeneus
(Fabricius, 1775)

Meligethes aeneus is an abundant pollen beetle in the United Kingdom. M. aenus is an important pest of oilseed rape.[1] It is unknown if it contributes to the pollination of the crop. Adults are about 2-3 mm long, 1-2 mm wide and black with a hint of metallic green. The larvae are up to 3 mm long and white with brown sclerotised plates. Eggs are laid in the flower buds of the host-plant and the larvae develop within the flowers. Oviposition damage to the buds of oilseed rape can cause the flowers to drop off. Both adults and larvae feed on the pollen and nectar in the flowers.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Free, J. B. and Williams, I. H. (1979) The distribution of insect pests on crops of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and the damage they cause. Journal of Agricultural Science, UK 92: 139-149
  2. ^ Williams, I. H. (1976), The infestation of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) by the pests Meligethes aeneus Fab. and Ceuthorhynchus assimilis Payk. PhD thesis; University of London, UK.

External links

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