Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 32-34. (2014)

Zoology

Some observation on Tropinota (Epicometis) hirta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea, Cetoniidae)

Fig. 3: T. hirta feeding on Crataegus flowers. Fig. 4: Pest insect feeding on Crataegus flowers.

During our observations after the bloom period of the cherry trees from the orchard T. hirta moved on Crataegus flowers located in adjacent neighbourhoods. In the sour cherry orchard 77 hirta was seen feeding on cherries flowers with other insects such as Cetonia aurata (Linnaeus 1758), Melolontha melolontha (Fabricius, 1775) and Protaetia angustata (Germar, 1817). All species were observed feeding together on Crataegus flowers (Fig. 4).

In personal garden last bloomed quince, but the reproductive part of plant have been eaten by pest in button stage before the blooming of the flowers.

Conclusions

Polyphagous species T. hirta used as a food source more than 70 plants species from 24 families. In certain plant genera the pests attack all species.

The worm winter and early spring 2014 allow the adults emerge from hibernation in the middle of March in the Republic of Moldova. The first specimens of 77 hirta were seen feeding on narcissus flowers. With the beginning of the fruit trees flowering, the pests resettled and move from one fruit trees to another.

Adult of 77 hirta attacks during flowering so the management of this particular beetle is generally difficult and risky, because it is important to protect the useful insect.

REFERENCES

1. Aftanache, M., 2011, Research on the current spread of the hairy beetle Epicometis (Tropinota) hirta Poda (chafer

beetle, aleculid beetle or blossom feeder beetle) and on the degree of approach in the speciality works of this damaging agent, the main damaging beetle in the Csekonics orchard from Jimbolia. http://www.for

ce.ro/ docs/j urnái 1 / aftanache .pdf.

2. Ayding, G., 2011, Plant phenology- related shifts in color preferences of Epicometis (Tropinota). hirta

(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) adults - key to effective population monitoring and suppression, Florida Entomologist, 94 (4): 832-838.

3. Blanco Villero, J. M., 2010, New records of Tropinota (Epicometis) hirta (PO, 20l4da, 1761) fromAndalusia

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Ent., 34 (3-4): 423-425.

4. Bohm, H., 1950, Incidence of Tropinota hirta as a pest of fruit tree blossoms in Austria. PflSch. Ber. Wien. 5:

241-257.

5. Bogavac, M., 1962, Tropinota hirta Poda, Plant Protect: 139-156.

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