Tile-horned Prionus beetle larva is major threat to blueberry crops across NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Researchers in North Carolina say a native beetle species is increasingly damaging blueberry crops in the southeastern part of the state, adding to challenges already posed by ongoing dry conditions.

The larvae of the tile-horned Prionus beetle, long present in North Carolina, is now targeting blueberry bushes, according to scientists at NC State University.

Kenneth Geisert, a researcher studying the issue, said the shift is unexpected.

"It's kind of surprising that we're seeing them shifting to blueberries," Geisert said. "It's been putting a lot of stress on these bushes, especially drought this year ... those stressful factors potentially affecting these blueberry trees and might be making those blueberry trees an actual viable host."

The larvae feed underground, making the damage difficult to detect.

"These guys are literally in the roots, where plants uptake their nutrients from," Geisert said. "If you imagine the whole root system going further down, they would be hollowed out by these larvae and multiple larvae in a single bush as well."

Researchers are now examining whether the beetle could become a threat to blueberry farms farther north, including in the Triangle.

Local growers say they are focused on keeping their crops healthy as the season progresses. At Wendell Blueberry Farm, owners report a strong start to their sixth season.

"A lot of people have been waiting for blueberries this year," owner Dragos Popa said.

The farm's two-and-a-half-acre crop is growing well, but Popa said the recent stretch of dry weather has taken a toll.

"Some plants are dying, and luckily we have replacements. But other than that, there isn't much we can do," he said.

Popa grows blueberries without chemicals and said he has not seen insect damage so far, but he remains vigilant.

"We walk the field regularly and we check for caterpillars and remove them by hand and so forth," he said. "But I hope it doesn't spread to this part of the state."

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