Integrated Pest Management Guide

NATURAL ENEMIES OF WEEDS

Beneficial insects

• Calligrapha californica (Lund)
• Altica sp.

Two species of herbivorous (plant-feeding) beneficial insects of the family Chrysomelidae have been observed feeding on weeds in cranberry fields in Langley and Richmond, British Columbia.

CALLIGRAPHA CALIFORNICA (LUND) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

A large number of larvae of this beetle was seen feeding on beggarticks (Bidens sp.). The black-headed larvae have a dark brown rotund body twice as wide as the head and three times as long. The adult is a dark beige beetle approximately 6 mm (1/4 inch) long with 3 black stripes on its back.

Calligrapha californica larva	Calligrapha californica pupa

Calligrapha californica beetle

ALTICA sp. (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Adults and larvae of this genus were seen feeding on willowherb (Epilobium watsonii) in cranberry beds in Langley, British Columbia. The adult is a small shiny black beetle about half the size of C. californica. Larvae are olive-green with a black head.

Altica sp. beetle	Altica sp. larva

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