Beetle question - Ask Extension
I have these beetles on a purple smoke Bush in my yard and they come back every spring and I can’t seem to identify them. I’ve looked in a ton of ...
Knowledgebase
Beetle question #451208
Asked May 02, 2018, 4:01 PM EDT
I have these beetles on a purple smoke Bush in my yard and they come back every spring and I can’t seem to identify them. I’ve looked in a ton of books and online and am clueless. Any idea if they are friend or foe? I am mostly concerned because the Bush isn’t doing well seems to be under attack by something.
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
That looks like some kind of scarab beetle. If you send me some I might be able to ID it further.
That looks like some kind of scarab beetle. If you send me some I might be able to ID it further.
To preserve and protect fragile specimens, it’s always best to submit insects in a small leak proof vial filled with rubbing alcohol or vinegar (the postal service prefers you send them in vinegar). Place the vial in a small zip-lock baggie, then in a small box or mailing tube and mail to
Diagnostic Services
578 Wilson Rd.
East Lansing MI 48824-6469
Be sure to include a note with your contact information including your email address.
You can download one of our submittal forms here:
https://pestid.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MSU-DS-Form-012-001-version-2.0.pdf
Here is our location: https://pestid.msu.edu/location/
Regards, Howard
Hello,
Please disregard my last reply. Your little friend is a sumac flea beetle, Blepharida rhois (Chrysomelidae).
See
https://utahpests.usu.edu/ipm/ornamental-pest-guide/arthropods/leaf-beetles-weevils/sumac-flea-beetl...
and
http://minnesotaseasons.com/Insects/sumac_flea_beetle.html
and
www.cns-eoc.colostate.edu/docs/SumacFleaBeetle.pdf
Howard
