Ochodaeus berytensis Petrovitz (Coleoptera: Ochodaeidae), a new pest of the truffle Tuber aestivum in Upper Galilee, Israel

In light of the introduction of truffle cultivation into northern Israel, previously unrecorded damage to the edible ectomycorrhizal truffle Tuber aestivum in Northern Israel is described and attributed to the scarab beetle Ochodaeus berytensis (Coleoptera: Ochodaeidae). The unique presence of adults within the truffles indicates that the life cycle of O. berytensis occurs elsewhere, very likely at the expense of another, yet unknown, hypogeal fungus. The damage to the ripe stage of fruiting bodies of the truffle are substantial and consist of borings, tunnels and galleries comparable with those perpetrated by the truffle beetle pest Leiodes cinnamomea (Panzer, 1793) (Leiodidae). Although Ochodaeidae have long been assumed to be mycophagous, it is the first recorded association of these beetles with hypogeal fungi. A distribution map of O. berytensis within the country is provided.