Tag: Small scarab beetle

White grubs in field crops

Scarabaeidae – Reminder – Each June brings scattered reports across the Prairies of white grubs associated with crop damage.  In fact, several species of Aphodius, Phyllophaga, Polyphylla or even small Aetenius produce larvae described as “white grubs”.  

Recently, crop damage reports have been associated with a grub identified as the larvae of the beetle Aphodius distinctus (see below). This common beetle is not known to be a pest, but there is an ongoing effort to gather information to develop a ‘pest’ profile.  Additional information is online at Top Crop Manager. Please send reports of this insect and associated information to Dr. Kevin Floate (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB).

White grubs in field crops

Scarabaeidae – Reminder – Each June brings scattered reports across the Prairies of white grubs associated with crop damage.  In fact, several species of Aphodius, Phyllophaga, Polyphylla or even small Aetenius produce larvae described as “white grubs”.  

Recently, crop damage reports have been associated with a grub identified as the larvae of the beetle Aphodius distinctus (see below). This common beetle is not known to be a pest, but there is an ongoing effort to gather information to develop a ‘pest’ profile.  Additional information is online at Top Crop Manager. Please send reports of this insect and associated information to Dr. Kevin Floate (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB).

It’s all about the habitat – The secret life of cattle dung!

Cattle dung provides moisture, nutrients, and shelter for numerous insect species and other arthropods.  Ralf Jochmann’s video magnificently captures some of this diversity, using close-up photography and narration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l05EHZMmKE).



Adults of the dung beetle Chilothorax (Aphodius) distinctus are common in cattle dung, particularly in September and early October.  Larvae develop in agricultural soils where they can occasionally cause crop damage when present in high densities.  For more information on this occasional pest, click here.

Weekly Update – White grubs in field crops

Scarabaeidae – Reminder – Each June brings scattered reports across the Prairies of white grubs associated with crop damage.  In fact, several species of Aphodius, Phyllophaga, Polyphylla or even small Aetenius produce larvae described as “white grubs”.  


Recently, crop damage reports have been associated with a grub identified as the larvae of the beetle Aphodius distinctus (see below). This common beetle is not known to be a pest, but there is an ongoing effort to gather information to develop a ‘pest’ profile.  Additional information is online at Top Crop Manager. Please send reports of this insect and associated information to Dr. Kevin Floate (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB).

Weekly Update – White grubs in field crops

Scarabaeidae – Reminder – Each June brings scattered reports across the Prairies of white grubs associated with crop damage.  In fact, several species of Aphodius, Phyllophaga, Polyphylla or even small Aetenius produce larvae described as “white grubs”.  


Recently, crop damage reports have been associated with a grub identified as the larvae of the beetle Aphodius distinctus (see below). This common beetle is not known to be a pest, but there is an ongoing effort to gather information to develop a ‘pest’ profile.  Additional information is online at Top Crop Manager. Please send reports of this insect and associated information to Dr. Kevin Floate (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB).

Weekly Update – White grubs in field crops

Scarabaeidae – Each June brings scattered reports across the Prairies of white grubs associated with crop damage.  In fact, several species of Aphodius, Phyllophaga, Polyphylla or even small Aetenius produce larvae described as “white grubs”.  


Recently, crop damage reports have been associated with a grub identified as the larvae of the beetle Aphodius distinctus (see below). This common beetle is not known to be a pest, but there is an ongoing effort to gather information to develop a ‘pest’ profile.  Additional information is online at Top Crop Manager. Please send reports of this insect and associated information to Dr. Kevin Floate (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB).


Weekly Update – Small scarab beetle

Small scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Aphodius distinctus) – Reminder – This is the time of summer that farmers will be seeing larvae of a small scarab beetle (Aphodius distinctus) in their fields.  There have been scattered reports each June of large numbers of beetle grubs in crops associated with crop damage (e.g., canola, corn, dry bean, onion, pea).


Please help researchers compile information related to this species so they might confirm its pest status!  Information is posted about the beetle and the survey.  Here’s how you can help:

1. Please send reports of high white grub densities and associated crop damage to Kevin.Floate@agr.gc.ca (403-317-2242). 

2. Live larvae accompanied by the following field information would be extremely helpful please – contact Dr. Kevin Floate if you have a sample!

3. Include answers to the following so the pest status for this species can be ascertained:  
     – Previous crop?
     – Legal land location or latitude+longitude?
     – Irrigated or not?
     – Was composted manure added this spring?
     – Surface residue in spring?


Weekly Update – Small scarab beetle

Small scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Aphodius distinctus) – This is the time of summer that farmers will be seeing larvae of a small scarab beetle (Aphodius distinctus) in their fields.  There have been scattered reports each June of large numbers of beetle grubs in crops associated with crop damage (e.g., canola, corn, dry bean, onion, pea).


Please help researchers compile information related to this species so they might confirm its pest status!  Information is posted about the beetle and the survey.  Here’s how you can help:


1. Please send reports of high white grub densities and associated crop damage to Kevin.Floate@agr.gc.ca (403-317-2242). 


2. Live larvae accompanied by the following field information would be extremely helpful please – contact Dr. Kevin Floate if you have a sample!


3. Include answers to the following so the pest status for this species can be ascertained:  
     – Previous crop?
     – Legal land location or latitude+longitude?
     – Irrigated or not?
     – Was composted manure added this spring?
     – Surface residue in spring?