CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

What is true about the flying ability of white-fringed beetles?

1. they are strong fliers

2. they are wingless

3. they are poor fliers

The correct answer is: they are wingless

White-fringed beetles, specifically belonging to the genus Naupactus, are known for their lack of wings, which is a characteristic that significantly affects their flying ability. This absence of wings means that these beetles cannot fly at all, relegating them strictly to movement on the ground. This adaptation might be linked to their lifestyle and ecological niche, where they rely on crawling to move between food sources or evade predators rather than using flight. In contrast, some other beetles exhibit adaptations for flight, but in the case of white-fringed beetles, the lack of wings is a definitive aspect of their biology. This characteristic supports various management practices, as their movement patterns are more localized due to their inability to fly, which can impact how pest control measures are implemented.