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Researchers at North Carolina State University have identified a beetle species responsible for damaging blueberry plants in the state. The insect, known as the tile-horned prionus (Prionus imbricornis), is a native longhorn beetle commonly found in the eastern United States. Although its larvae were already known to feed on the roots of trees and woody plants, scientists had not previously confirmed this species feeding on commercial blueberry bushes. Blueberry farmers had reported mysterious root damage and dying plants, but identifying the insect was difficult because several related beetle species have similar-looking larvae. The research, published in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management, provides genetic evidence linking P. imbricornis to damaged highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) in North Carolina.

To identify the beetle, researchers placed pheromone-baited traps at six commercial blueberry farms across four North Carolina counties. These traps attracted adult beetles, allowing scientists to collect and identify different species. The researchers then used DNA barcoding, a technique that compares specific genetic sequences, to examine larvae collected from damaged blueberry roots. Two larval samples showed a 98% to 99% DNA sequence match with adult P. imbricornis, confirming that this species was feeding on blueberry plants. The research also examined the beetle’s development and feeding behavior. Its larvae can spend at least three to five years growing underground, gradually tunneling through roots and weakening plants. This prolonged feeding makes infestations especially difficult to detect before serious damage occurs.

The findings are important for blueberry farming because underground beetle infestations can cause substantial agricultural losses. Researchers reported hundreds of dead, actively infested blueberry bushes and thousands of additional plants suspected of infestation in North Carolina’s major blueberry-growing region. Affected plants may develop wilting leaves, dying branches, and weakened roots, sometimes becoming easy to pull from the ground. Unfortunately, these symptoms often appear after severe damage has already occurred. Controlling the insect is also challenging because the larvae remain protected inside roots and surrounding soil, where insecticides may not reach them effectively. The study highlights the potential of monitoring adult beetles with pheromone traps and investigating methods that interfere with mating. However, no insecticides were registered specifically for controlling these beetles in blueberries at the time of publication, and effective management strategies still needed further testing.

This research demonstrates how genetic identification can improve agricultural pest management by revealing which species are actually responsible for crop damage. One important strength is that researchers compared DNA from larvae found inside blueberry roots with DNA from identified adults rather than relying only on the insects’ appearance. However, the genetic confirmation involved only two larvae, so additional sampling is necessary to determine whether other related beetle species also infest blueberry plants. Furthermore, the research did not establish the effectiveness of a new treatment or measure the complete economic impact of the infestation. Future studies could examine early detection, evaluate insecticide treatments, and test pheromone-based strategies under commercial farming conditions. Overall, the findings provide a scientific foundation for developing more targeted pest control methods while reducing unnecessary pesticide use and protecting blueberry production.

References

Geisert, K. A., Powell, G. S., & Lopez, L. (2026). Prionus imbricornis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an emerging pest in North Carolina blueberries. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 17(1), pmag018. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmag018

Pitchford, J. (2026, June 2). Scientists identify ‘mystery beetle’ attacking blueberry farms across North Carolina. NC State News. https://news.ncsu.edu/2026/06/scientists-identify-mystery-beetle-attacking-blueberry-farms-across-north-carolina

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