Trichodes ornatus
Pest description This beetle (7 to 15 mm) is metallic dark blue with bright orange to yellow wing patterns and is commonly seen among many cavity-nesting bees. Adult female beetles lay eggs in or near bee nest entrances. The first three beetle larval instars feed on bee eggs, larvae and pollen provisions and cause major brood and nest damage as they move from cell to cell. Beetle larvae are generally red in color and appear worm-like.
Management Removing BOB nesting materials shortly before or after the end of the nesting season is an effective management technique. Plastic container traps embedded with pheromones that attract adults beetles are also commercially available.