Pollen beetle

Pollen beetles are probably the most common pests seen on Scottish rape crops.

The greenish, black beetles are seen on rape crops from mid-April onwards.  The beetles chew their way into flower buds to get access to the pollen within.  Once crops have flowered, the pollen is readily accessible and the damage is minimal.  Winter rape plants tend to be able to compensate for some loss of pods by diverting resources into producing larger seeds, but if the crop has suffered from significant slur or pigeon damage, then this ability to compensate is reduced.