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The whitefringed beetles, Naupactus spp. A complex of several species accidently introduced into the United States from South America. The beetles cannot fly and only females of the species are known. The larvae feed in the soil on plant roots and the adults feed on foliage. Hundreds of plants are hosts to this pest. Populations are sporadic and very localized. Seedling trees planted in the soil of old fields are often attacked. The adults damage nursery stock by notching foliage and can be controlled with an insecticide. Adults emerge from the soil in summer, feed on foliage and oviposit in the soil. There is one generation per year. When present during the day, the adults can be found hiding on the leaves and stems. The larvae are in the soil and not easily detected until after the plants show signs of damage. Controlling the larvae is difficult. Diseases attack the larvae but natural enemies have little effect that can be exploited in the nursery.
Common host plants: Hundreds of plants are hosts to this pest.
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