Family: Byturidae
Subfamily: Byturinae
Length: 3.0-4.5 mm
The family Byturidae consists of only two species in America north of Mexico, and of those only Byturus unicolor is found in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. The range map below shows the many states and provinces that have reported Byturus unicolor.
Both adults and larvae feed on the flowers and developing fruits of Rubus species (Raspberries and Blackberries). Females lay eggs on the flowers.
Larvae pupate in the soil. During the summer the larvae undergo their final molt, but remain in the soil until the following Spring.
An infestation of Byturus unicolor in a commercial berry operation leads to wormy fruit and significant economic loss.
This page is both the species page for Byturus unicolor, and the family page for Byturidae
Insects of West Virginia
