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Summary
The black beetle, Heteronychus sanctae-helenae Blanch., is an important pest of pastures in New Zealand. At present the beetle is confined mainly to coastal areas, north and south of Auckland city and north of Gisborne.
Both larvae and adults are directly responsible for damage to pastures. The insect shows a preference for Paspalum dilatatum Poir., and is usually more abundant in soils which are either light and friable, sandy, or of a peaty nature.
In this country, outbreaks of epidemic proportions have so far been sporadic.
The beetle has only one generation per year, and overwinters predominantly in the adult form.
Dieldrin at rates as low as 4 oz per acre gives effective control of black beetle larvae in pastures.