Spiders Predate on Fuller Rose Beetles

Aug 18, 2011

While surveying a site for Fuller rose beetle, we observed a number of dead beetles with their heads broken off.  We were wondering what might be predating on them, and I caught this spider in the act.  I was disappointed that I did not get a photo of the spider feeding (it dropped the beetle when it saw me), but I did see the spider with its mouth inside the body of the beetle.  The mystery is solved!  Its good to know that something is working on the beetle population.


By Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell
Author - Emeritus Entomology Cooperative Extension Specialist

Attached Images:

DSC 0371 Dead Fuller rose beetle

Dead Fuller rose beetle