Green fruit beetle—Cotinis mutabilis
The adult fruit beetle is a large metallic beetle (1.25 inch long) with a scarab shape. The larval stage
is a C-shaped, creamy white grub, which feeds on decaying organic material in the soil, such as piles
of manure, partially decomposed compost, or piles of lawn clippings. Adult beetles emerge in summer and
feed on ripe fruit.
Life cycle
Damage
Adults attack maturing soft fruit such as tomatoes, peaches, plums, figs, and apricots. Grubs do not
damage fruit.
Solutions
Control is difficult because adults may fly in from a distance and management is most effective against
grubs. Insecticides are of little value against adults although they may be trapped with a 1 : 1 mixture
of grape juice (or peach juice) and water in a container with a wire cone trap. Early harvest and removal
of fallen fruit can also reduce damage. To manage grubs, remove all manure, lawn clippings, or leaf piles
from areas near fruit trees and turn compost
piles frequently to speed decomposition and expose small
grubs. If grubs are found, they may be killed by flooding the infested area for at least 2 days. | 
Green
fruit beetle adult
Green
fruit beetle larva
|
