Gleditsia-pest
Guides
Megabruchidius
Megabruchidius is a genus of seed beetles in the subfamily Bruchinae (Chrysomelidae), established by Borowiec in 1984. The genus comprises Asian species that have become invasive in Europe, North America, South America, and South Africa. At least two species are well-documented: M. dorsalis and M. tonkineus, both specialized feeders on seeds of Gleditsia (honey locusts) and related Caesalpinioideae legumes. These beetles complete their entire larval development inside seeds, emerging as adults through exit holes. The genus has attracted significant research attention due to its economic impact as a pest of ornamental and forestry trees, its expanding host range in introduced regions, and its potential use as a biological control agent for invasive honey locust.
Megabruchidius dorsalis
honey locust seed beetle, Asian seed beetle
Megabruchidius dorsalis is an invasive seed beetle (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) native to Asia that has established populations across Europe and North America. The species is oligophagous on Caesalpinioideae seeds, primarily developing within pods of Gleditsia species. Adults exhibit freeze-avoidant cold tolerance strategy with supercooling points around -10°C. The beetle has demonstrated host range expansion in its introduced range, colonizing North American Gymnocladus dioica in addition to its native Asian Gleditsia hosts.