Hionthis saulcyi Reitter

Taxonomic placing: Insecta, Holometabola, Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae.

Geographical distribution: Middle East.

Morphology: The adult is 9-11 mm long, black, dorsum shiny, the elytra are striated. The prothorax is wider than its posterior segments, and the eyes are small. The antennal segments are similar.

Host plants: Roots of various plants, including corn, pepper and sorghum.

Life cycle: Hionthis saulcyi usually lives and reproduces in the soil, although it may at times occur on host plants.

Economic importance: The beetles feed on the roots of germinating plants, especially corn, and cause their death. Heavy infestations, especially in very humid soils, result in bare soil patches.

Management

Cultural control: Crop rotation, avoiding susceptible host plants.

Chemical control: In the past [Organochlorides](entry/Organochlorides] were used to control the pest.

REFERENCES

Rivnay, E. 1962. Field Crop Pests in the Near East. W. Junk, The Hague, 450 pp.

Slaye, G., Harpaz, I. and Pinthus, M. 1958. Hionthis saulcyi. Hassadeh 38: 401-403. (In Hebrew).