They are more destructive on tomatoes, where the beetles bore into the fruit through cracks or any damaged area on the tomato fruit. In sweet corn, sap beetles are particularly noticeable on ears where there has been bird damage or where corn borers or corn earworms have been feeding. In the corn field, if they are plentiful, they may enter by the silk on previously undamaged cobs. The sap beetles do not do the primary damage but feed on the sap exuding from damaged tissue. They do not bite or sting.
Some sap beetles are important vectors of the oak wilt fungus.
Sap beetles around homes and picnic areas are difficult to control. Spraying insecticides around lawns or picnic places will reduce the numbers of beetles present. However, food odors will attract more beetles that fly in from surrounding places. Fruit should be picked and removed from the field as soon as possible to prevent over ripening. Unmarketable fruits should be discarded rather than leaving them on the ground.