PICNIC BEETLE

PICNIC BEETLE

Glischrochilus fasciatus
SAP BEETLES (Nitidulidae)

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This beetle is one sixth to one fourth of an inch long. It is black with 4 yellow spots on the elytra. The elytra and pronotum of this beetle are punctate. It was identified with the help of experts at bugguide.net.

 

This beetle is attracted to oozing tree wounds where it feeds on sap and fungi. Sap beetles, also referred to as picnic beetles, often become a nuisance in gardens during late summer. They feed on damaged, overripe, or decomposing fruits and vegetables.We don’t know its frequency of occurrence at Fontenelle Forest.

 

Like other sap beetles members of this genus can be distinguished from other kinds of sap-feeding beetles by their characteristic 11-segmented antennae that end with a 3-segmented ball-like club. Glischrochilus are among the largest of the nitidulid beetles, but they are still generally smaller in comparison to other beetles. Most members of this genus are known as picnic beetles or beer bugs.

 

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