Fruit Beetles

Need to get rid of beetles? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

What Are Fruit Beetles?

There are two primary fruit beetles that reside in the United States. The figeater beetle (also known as the green fruit beetle or fig beetle), and the dried fruit beetle (sometimes referred to as the sap beetle). 

The Figeater Beetle or Green Fruit Beetle

Green fruit beetles are a member of the scarab beetle family and belong to the subfamily comprised of a group of beetles commonly called flower chafers because many of the beetles in this family consume pollen, nectar or petals. Figeater beetles are primarily green with a bit of tan coloration on the edge of their front wings. Adult figeater beetles are typically 2 to 3 centimeters long with a large scoop on the front end of their head to cut open fruit. They are also equipped with large mandibles that allow them to masticate the fruit found inside. 

Green fruit beetles eat a range of fruits including peaches, figs, apricots, and plums, as well as tree sap, pollen and nectar of many plants. They are native to the areas of the southwestern United States that are less arid where there they are known to eat fruit from cacti and the sap from desert trees. Since the 1960s, they can be found all over the country feeding in home gardens and compost piles. 

The Dried Fruit Beetle

Dried fruit beetles are very small at only about 1/8th of an inch long. They have clubbed antennae, are brown or black in color and have a typically shaped oval beetle body. The dried fruit beetle eats dried fruit, fresh fruit, rotting fruit, insects, beans, wheat, rice, honey and spices. 

The dried fruit beetle can be found anywhere in the world where fruit is grown or stored. For this reason, the dried fruit beetle has become a global nuisance and costly pest, especially in farms where fruit is grown and plants where fruit is stored or processed. 

Who Can Help With My Beetle Problem?

If you suspect you might have a beetle infestation or have just spotted some outside your home, call Pest Control Experts for a recommendation for a pest management specialist in your area that can answer questions about fruit beetles and even come inspect your home.