Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

Mango flower beetle (367)


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Summary

  • Widespread distribution. Common in Pacific island countries.
  • Damage to many ornamentals, food crops and trees by adult beetles accessing nectar, pollen.
  • Eggs laid in organic matter, C-shaped larvae move on their back, adults up to 17 mm long, broad, dark brown with greenish/yellow markings.
  • Spread on the wing, and plants in horticultural trade.
  • Natural enemies: parasitoid wasps. Attempts made in Hawaii.
  • Cultural and Chemical control. Not recommended, except for hand-picking if numbers are high and plants are accessible. The beetle is slow-moving. If chemical necessary, try PDPs: derris, neem, pyrethrum; alternatively, use synthetic pyrethroids.

Common Name

Mango flower beetle, Asian mango flower beetle, mottled flower scarab.

Scientific Name

Protaetia fusca


AUTHOR Grahame Jackson & Mani Mua
Information from Woodruff RE (2016) The Asian mango flower beetle, Protaetia fusca (Herbst), and Euphoria sepulcralis (Fabricius) in Florida and the West Indies (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae). Insecta Mundi 20(3-4): 227-231. (https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1113&context=insectamundi); and Hawaiian scarab id Protaetia fusca. (http://idtools.org/id/beetles/scarab/factsheet.php?name=15219); and from Leblanc L et al. (2013) Protaetia orientalis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) attracted to methyl eugenol fruit fly lure. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 45:45-48. Photo 1 McCormack G (2007) Cook Islands Biodversity Database, Version 2007(2). Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. (http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org). Photos 2&4 Bramadi Arya. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Protaetia_fusca_(Herbst).jpg).

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project HORT/2016/185: Responding to emerging pest and disease threats to horticulture in the Pacific islands, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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