Anoxia australis is a species of beetle in the Scarabaeidae family and the Melolonthidae subfamily.
Like many other genera and species, it is commonly known as the "San Juan beetle". Its life cycle, which lasts about four years, takes place underground. When it reaches maturity, in its fourth year of life, generally between April-May and June, it comes to the surface at dusk. It carries out nuptial flights and copulates. Sometimes there are more than one male mating. The females burrow back into the ground to lay their eggs.
It lives in western Mediterranean Europe . 1 In Spain and Portugal it is found throughout almost the entire Peninsula. In spring (first year) the adults appear and, once they reproduce, the female lays her eggs in the ground, at a depth of one hand's breadth. The eggs then hatch and the new larvae spend the winter buried in a dormant state.
With the arrival of spring (second year) the larvae come to the surface to feed, increasing in size and thus their voracity. They then bury themselves again to hibernate.
In the spring of the third year, the larvae become active again and continue feeding, but only for a few months, as they complete their development and pupate. The following spring, the new adults appear, thus closing their biological cycle. In practice, the generations overlap and the insect can be found at any stage of development.
Annual generations are 1 every three years.
The adult causes defoliation in trees and shrubs, with little damage.
The larva feeds on the plant's root system, which results in failed planting, lack of vigor, and even death of the plant.
In grapevines, Anoxia is the most important genus, above Melolontha.
Control and Treatment for White Worm
By applying to the soil, in the crop rows, one of the following insecticides in granules: cypermethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, tefluthrin, spinosad. It is also possible to apply Beauveria bassiana mixed with cereal bran.
Removing the soil achieves two things: exposing the larvae to the sun and animals, as well as making it difficult for them to lay eggs.
