Dalotia coriaria (Rove Beetle)

TARGET PEST: Shore flies (Ephydridae), Fungus gnats (Sciaridae), Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

FOR YOUR FILES: Dalotia coriaria Tech Sheet (PDF)

HOW TO: Build a Dalotia Breeder Box (PDF)

• Description
• Use in Biological Control
• Life Cycle
• Application Rates

• Atheta coriaria or Rove beetle (Dalotia coriaria), formerly known as Atheta coriaria, is a native species of a soil-dwelling rove beetle which feeds on small insects and mites. Both adults and larvae are active aggressive predators and are attracted to decomposing plant or animal material and algae, where their hosts are found. While they are beetles, they do not necessarily look like beetles. They are light to dark brown in color, with adults being 3-4 mm long. They are slender with short wing covers. Rove beetles have an interesting habit of curving their abdomen upwards like scorpions and can run or fly when disturbed (usually close to the ground). Since they can actively fly, they rapidly colonize the release area. However, too many Atheta in flight may be because of disturbance to their home.

• Dalotia coriaria (formerly Atheta coriaria) is a native species of soil-dwelling rove beetle, which feeds on small insects and mites (e.g., shore flies, fungus gnats, moth flies, springtails, root mealybug crawlers, aphids, spider mites). Both adults and larvae are active, aggressive predators and are attracted to decomposing plant or animal material and algae where their hosts are found.

  Dalotia has a longer life cycle and takes longer to establish than the Stratiolaelaps predatory mite, so Dalotia should be used along with Stratiolaelaps for best results.

• The complete life cycle of rove beetles is 21 days at 70°F (21°C), with relative humidity between 40 and 99%. Eggs hatch in 3-4 days into larvae, which resemble adults. Each adult rove beetle consumes 10-20 prey per day. In greenhouse conditions, adults are non-diapausing and can be used year round.
• 0.1 to 0.5 per sqft 

Orders for Dalotia coriaria must be received by noon on Friday for shipment the following week.  If the deadline is past, please call us and we will help you find a solution ASAP. (360) 656-6680

See order deadlines and shipping information.

Learn about release instructions for beneficial insects.