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Abstract
The life history of Stelidota octomaculata (Say) was studied in Ohio and Pennsylvania. This insect damages acorns and affects the establishment of oak seedlings. Acorns deployed in wire cages and pitfall traps plus a sampling of naturally occurring acorns were used to monitor insect activity. AdLllts overwinter in forest litter and begin feeding on undamaged germinating or damaged acorns in March. Acorns damaged by the beetles may fail to produce seedlings. Beetle reproduction occurs in spring and early summer inside acorns both above and below ground. Reproduction ceases in late July to early August. Adult activity may continue until early December in some years. In the laboratory, a life cycle was completed in about 34 days at 220 to 26%. The maximum number of offspring from a female was 933 and the maximum lifespan at room temperature was 238 days. Acorns of all species tested plus seeds of 28 other species were suitable for larval development.
Citation
Galford, Jimmy R.; Williams, Roger N.; Daugherty, Ann. 1991. Life history and notes on the biology of Stelidota octomaculata (Coleoptera:Nitidulidae). Res. Pap. NE-644. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 7 p.
