Stelidota

Erichson, 1843

strawberry sap beetles

Species Guides

4

Stelidota is a of sap-feeding beetles in the Nitidulidae comprising approximately 15 described . Species in this genus are associated with fermenting plant 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 strawberries and other crops.

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 nitidulid beetles. 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 plant materials; specific requirements vary by . Stelidota geminata has been observed in agricultural settings including strawberry 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 plant materials. Stelidota geminata feeds on diverse fermenting substrates including strawberry (Fragaria spp.). Stelidota octomaculata feeds primarily on acorns.

Host Associations

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 fly 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

Decomposer of fermenting plant materials. Serves as for Microctonus nitidulidis.

Human Relevance

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

Similar Taxa

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

Sources and further reading