Rove Beetles

Adult Rove Beetles are small black beetles. Adults have functional wings, however no flight activity has been observed. Mature adults are black with front legs adapted for digging.

The biologies of this family of beetles vary tremendously and include parasitism and associations with ants and termites. Most are predators scavengers and fungus feeders, also feeding on micro organisms in the soil. 

LIFE CYCLE

The beetles occur at a depth of 100mm below the surface where they live together in a tunnel system. There are 3 larval stages (instars). Eggs are laid in clusters of 3 - 10 in the blind ends of tunnels. Eggs, larvae and pupae are white. Freshly moulted adults are lighter brown. Generations overlap with all stages being present at one time. 

DAMAGE TO TURFGRASS

The main damage that Rove Beelte cause is castsings on the surface. This can wrongly be attributed to earthworm castings. Although the castings can bring unwated non turfgrass seed (weeds) to the surface, these beetles do not cause direct damage or injury to the turf and the pest is therefore more of a nuisance. Castings on turfgrass are problematic both aesthetically but also becase the casts may effect smooth ball roll and may also damage machinery. Casts can occur in numbers of up to 120 per m2 in the afternoons, rising to around 400 casts per m2 in the early morning. If you do not remove the casts it can block light to turf growing underneath reducing the health of the turf.