Cranberry Rootworm Beetle

Cranberry rootworm beetle (Rhabdopterus picipes) feeding damage on camellia foliage results in C-shaped holes.
Jim Baker, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org Management

The Cranberry rootworm beetle (Rhabdopterus picipes) is one of several leaf-feeding beetles and weevils that consume the foliage of woody landscape plants in South Carolina. These nocturnal-feeding adult beetles are shiny, dark bronze-black, about 1/4-inch long, and 1/8-inch wide. These beetles are seldom noticed because they hide in the landscape mulch during daylight hours, and the foliar damage appears similar to that of hail damage. The adults feed on landscape plants for several weeks in the late spring and early summer. Their feeding results in curved, C-shaped, and elongated holes in leaves of azalea, rhododendron, camellia, blueberry, hollies, roses, redbud, oakleaf hydrangea, and other shrubs. After feeding, the female adults lay eggs on the soil. Upon hatching, young beetle larvae move into the soil to feed on the roots of the host plant. They feed throughout the summer until fall and then move deeper into the soil to over-winter. The larvae pupate within the soil during early spring, and the adults emerge in late spring to begin foliar feeding and repeat the one-year life cycle.

Cultural Controls: Keep landscape plants as healthy as possible to tolerate the damage. If there is inadequate rainfall, irrigate plants weekly during the growing season providing 1-inch of water per week.

Cranberry rootworm beetle (Rhabdopterus picipes) feeding on azalea foliage resulting in curved, elongate holes.
Chazz Hesselein, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Bugwood.org

A soil analysis test is recommended to determine which nutrients are needed in the soil to improve plant growth and to determine if lime is required. In the absence of a soil test, fertilize plants with slow-release tree and shrub fertilizer, such as a 12-6-6, in early spring and again 6 weeks later at a rate of 1 pound per 100 sq ft. However, in the coastal counties of Beaufort, Charleston, and Horry, there is typically sufficient phosphorus that naturally occurs in the soil. Therefore, in these areas, use a 15-0-15 fertilizer around the shrubs during the spring. For proper nutrient management in landscape beds, have the soil tested the following fall or winter.

Although mulch provides a hiding place for adult beetles, it is quite beneficial to landscape plants in conserving soil moisture, regulating soil temperature, and suppressing weeds. Apply a 3- to 4-inch deep layer of mulch around woody shrubs.

Chemical Controls: Once flowering is over, shrub foliage should be sprayed with spinosad (a natural insecticide), bifenthrin, cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, or permethrin as soon as feeding damage is detected. These are contact insecticides to control the adults feeding on the foliage. Also, spray to saturate the mulch or leaf litter beneath the shrubs, as during the daytime, the beetles hide in the mulch near the plants. To protect pollinating insects, do not spray during bloom. See Table 1 for examples of products labeled for foliar pest control on shrubs.

Alternatively, control can be obtained with soil drenches using a product containing imidacloprid. This a systemic insecticide that is taken up at the base of the shrub and moves upward into foliage and flowers. It may take one week for imidacloprid to translocate throughout smaller shrubs or up to a few weeks for larger shrubs. It is always best to apply imidacloprid after flowering to reduce the risk to pollinating insects. Be sure the plants are well-watered the day before application (to enhance insecticide uptake), then drench the soil around the base of the shrubs with a solution of imidacloprid. The amount of product to use is determined by the height of the shrub in feet, so follow the label directions for mixing with water. Systemic insecticide products generally protect shrub foliage for a year and are best applied in the spring. Because soil-applied insecticides, which are drenched around the base of the shrubs, do not move further outward into the root system, they will not kill the grubs feeding on roots nearby. See Table 1 for examples of products containing imidacloprid.

Table 1. Insecticides to Control Cranberry Rootworm Beetle on Shrubs

Pesticides are updated annually. Last updates were done on 8/24 by N. Jordan Franklin.

Originally published 02/18