Science

Five-inch-long beetle larvae are quietly destroying blueberry roots

Scientists have solved a mystery surrounding destructive beetles attacking blueberry bushes in North Carolina, identifying a species whose massive larvae can grow up to five inches long and destroy plant roots.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•1 min read•Updated November 6, 2026, 9:33 AM UTC

Although farmers have reported damage for more than a decade, the insects responsible remained unidentified until researchers used DNA analysis to uncover the culprit.

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