Post by North Carolina State University

North Carolina’s blueberry farmers may have a beetle problem. Scientists at the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have identified destructive beetles inhabiting North Carolina blueberry fields as Prionus imbricornis, a species of longhorn beetle. These wood-boring beetles lay their eggs in the soil near the roots of hardwood trees; their larvae then consume and destroy those roots, potentially killing the tree. “On one hand, it’s very important that we know which species we’re dealing with,” said Lorena Lopez, assistant extension professor in NC State’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. “On the other, North Carolina was the first state to ever report Prionus infestation in blueberries, and there are no insecticides currently labeled against this pest in blueberries.” Keep reading: http://ncst.at/hAou50ZjtUG