Assessing invertebrate damage to truffles at harvest and grading

Printable information posters are available in the links on the right for use in the field or grading room.

Truffle beetle

The most distinctive damage is that caused by the Australia truffle beetle (Thalycrodes sp. Family Nitidulidae).  Both the adults and the larvae are obligate truffle feeders. They make holes approximately 1mm in diameter and can tunnel extensively within a truffle.

Small pinhole damage typical of the Australian truffle beetle

Adults and larvae can be found in the tunnels even after harvest and washing.

Adult truffle beetles are very small, approximately 2-3mm long and 1-1.5mm wide. They are honey brown colour with distinctive clubbed antennae and rows of hairs on their back.

Australian truffle beetle (below) compared to similar truffle infesting beetle (top). The smaller beetle is sometimes found in damaged or rotton truffle. It has no clubbed antennae and no rows of hairs on its back. 

Truffle beetle larvae are pointed at both ends, have a brown head, tiny legs on the thorax and a segmented body.

Australian truffle beetle larva may be white or cream coloured

Invertebrates in the grading room

Other invertebrates that are not uncommonly found in and on truffles at harvest are springtails, pot worms, fly larvae and fungus gnats.

Mutliple species of sprintails have been associated with truffles, some considerably smaller than those shown.

Pot worms can be found in truffles with some rot

Fly larvae on rotten truffle

These are thought to be secondary pests, meaning they only feed on truffle that is unsound. The truffle may have already had feeding damage or rot, developed cracks or been soft or over mature.

Holes and cavities

Slugs and slaters – produce deep and uneven cavities

A slug actively feeding on a truffle

Damage typical of that caused by slugs and slaters

Black earwigs – produce uneven holes

Black earwig feeding damage

Weevil larvae – produce holes approximately 5mm in diameter

Weevil larva are an uncommon pest of truffles

Millipedes – can produce uneven holes or browse the peridium

Many pests will eat both mature and immature truffle. Note the pale areas where the millipedes have browsed the peridium

African black beetle - adults produce holes approximately 10mm in diameter

African black beetles create larger holes in truffles