Description of the Pest
The adult beetle is oval shaped, dull black in color, and is about 0.25 inch long by 0.12 inch wide. The larvae, called false wireworms, are up to 0.5 inch long and cream to pale tan in color.
Damage
Damage is caused by adults feeding in the fruit.
Management
Larvae feed on decaying organic matter in and on the soil surface. Remove or hasten the breakdown of organic matter to reduce the available host material for larvae. This should reduce the population. Complete harvest rapidly and remove figs from the orchard to reduce exposure to infestation by adults. No chemical controls are recommended.
UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Fig
UC ANR Publication 3447
R.L. Coviello, UC Cooperative Extension Fresno County
W.J. Bentley (emeritus), UC IPM and Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier
