Agriotes ferrugineipennis

(LeConte, 1861)

Rusty Click Beetle

A () to western North America. emerge in spring and are active in grassy agricultural . The was identified in a 2022 study as having 7-methyloctyl 7-methyloctanoate as its major female-produced , to which males show strong attraction. are soil-dwelling with potential agricultural pest status.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agriotes ferrugineipennis: /ˈæɡɹiˌoʊtiːz ˌfɛrʊˌdʒɪneɪˈpɛnɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Habitat

Agricultural land including potato fields with grass cover and grassy berms. inhabit soil. collected with in grass.

Distribution

Western North America: British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, California, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and Utah.

Seasonality

emerge in spring (April–May).

Diet

() feed on roots of agricultural . have been observed feeding on apple pieces in laboratory conditions.

Life Cycle

are , soil-dwelling . emerge in spring. -mediated mate finding occurs via female-produced 7-methyloctyl 7-methyloctanoate.

Behavior

Males exhibit strong attraction to the female-produced 7-methyloctyl 7-methyloctanoate, with trap captures nearly 1,200 times higher than unbaited controls. Antennal of components demonstrated via gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAD).

Ecological Role

Potential agricultural pest; () feed on roots. Pest status explicitly described as unclear in available sources.

Human Relevance

Subject of identification research for potential applications. Associated with agricultural systems where damage to occurs.

Similar Taxa

Agriotes lineatusBoth are in the same with similar and ; A. lineatus was detected in the same eDNA study of yard waste and is also an agricultural pest.

More Details

Sex Pheromone

The major component 7-methyloctyl 7-methyloctanoate (7Me7Me) was identified through field testing and GC-EAD. The ketone 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone and aldehydes octanal and nonanal did not significantly enhance male captures when combined with 7Me7Me.