Bug Identifier
Grapevine Beetle
Community identification

Grapevine Beetle

Pelidnota punctata

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Scarabaeidae
Size
20–30 mm (approx. 1 inch in length)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found throughout eastern and central North America in forests, thickets, and vineyards where grapevines are present.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on the leaves and fruit of wild and cultivated grapevines. Larvae (grubs) eat rotting wood from old stumps and logs.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are active during the summer months and are primarily nocturnal, often attracted to lights. They are clumsy fliers. The life cycle takes about two years, with larvae pupating in the soil or decaying wood.

Risks & Benefits

They are generally considered minor pests as they rarely cause significant damage to vineyards. They play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by helping decompose rotting wood during their larval stage. They are harmless to humans.