Stelidota

Erichson, 1843

strawberry sap beetles

Stelidota is a of sap-feeding in the comprising approximately 15 described . Species in this genus are associated with fermenting materials and are known primarily from studies of Stelidota geminata and S. octomaculata, which differ markedly in -finding despite both being olfactory . The genus includes economically significant pests of and other .

Stelidota coenosa by (c) Victor Engel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Victor Engel. Used under a CC-BY license.Stelidota by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.Stelidota geminata by (c) fuzzyspider, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by fuzzyspider. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Stelidota: /stɛlɪˈdoʊtə/

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Identification

Members of Stelidota are small . Specific diagnostic features for -level identification are not documented in available sources. -level identification requires examination of morphological characters not detailed in the provided literature.

Images

Habitat

Associated with fermenting materials; specific requirements vary by . Stelidota geminata has been observed in agricultural settings including plantings.

Distribution

The occurs in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Stelidota geminata specifically has been recorded from: North America (Canada: Ontario; USA: Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin; Mexico), Central America and Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico), South America (Brazil: Paraiba, São Paulo; Colombia; Peru), Europe (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Canary Islands, Switzerland), and Asia (Turkey).

Diet

Sap-feeding on fermenting materials. Stelidota geminata feeds on diverse fermenting substrates including (Fragaria spp.). Stelidota octomaculata feeds primarily on acorns.

Host Associations

  • Fragaria spp. - feeds on of S. geminata
  • Quercus spp. - feeds onacorn of S. octomaculata

Behavior

-finding varies between . Stelidota geminata exhibits phototactic and host-orienting flights, with rapid upwind (0.54 ± 0.02 cm/s) toward food sources. Stelidota octomaculata lacks phototactic flight, does not to food odors, and walks more slowly toward sources (0.16 ± 0.01 cm/s) with different turning frequency patterns. Both species respond to diverse food substrates in no-choice assays, indicating olfactory generalization.

Ecological Role

of fermenting materials. Serves as for Microctonus nitidulidis.

Human Relevance

Stelidota geminata is an agricultural pest of . The has been to Europe from North America, expanding its economic impact.

Similar Taxa

  • other Nitidulidae generaStelidota can be distinguished from related by -specific morphological characters; specific diagnostic features require taxonomic expertise.

Sources and further reading