Last week, an observant grower spotted some unusual insects clambering over softening Hayward kiwifruit. Naturally, the question arose: could these insects be the cause of the fruit's softening and damage?

With curiosity piqued, a set of excellent images was sent to KVH, and we shared them with entomologists from Plant & Food Research. Their rapid identification revealed the culprits were rove beetles - a family of beetles known for their short wing covers that leave more than half of their abdominal segments exposed.

Rather than being a destructive force, these rove beetle adults were simply doing their job as part of the kiwifruit "clean-up crew." As generalist predators, they feed on a variety of insect pests, including thrips, caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, nematodes, aphids, mosquito larvae, gnats, grubs, and more.

Typically residing in forest leaf litter or decaying organic matter, rove beetles play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance by targeting pests that can otherwise cause damage.

This case is a great example of the biosecurity vigilance needed within the industry. If you come across unusual pests or disease symptoms, take photos and report them to KVH. Let’s keep an eye out and ensure the health of our crops, and our industry, remains strong.