Ive been picking tons of asiatic garden beetles off my flowers. Is there anything I can do?
These beetles are chestnut brown and look similar to a Japanese beetle, and have a similar life cycle, but don’t skeletonize leaves rather strip them, often just leaving a midvein. If this is what you have, you likely have this beetle. They like moisture, so this year with all our rain we’ve seen many, even here in Vermont. They seem to be mainly in the northeastern U.S., are attracted to light, and feed at night dropping to the ground during the day. The grubs feed on turf, the adults feed on many flowers and vegetables during July and August. Control grubs in July through mid-September with approved pesticides, making sure to read and follow label directions. Keep in mind some products may also kill beneficial insects. Products for adult beetles may also be used with the same precautions. Few if any specific biological products are available. Of course handpicking may also work if few in number.
