Leaf eating garden bugs - Ask Extension
I have never had these before. They are wiping out my garden. Eating leaves. They look like a fire fly but they do not fly. They wiped out my spinach ...
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Leaf eating garden bugs #802900
Asked July 25, 2022, 12:39 PM EDT
I have never had these before. They are wiping out my garden. Eating leaves. They look like a fire fly but they do not fly. They wiped out my spinach plants they’re eating the tops off of red beets I have a row of Calen Doula across my garden they have no leaves on them anymore. Now they’re getting into my green beans and raspberry bushes
Hancock County Ohio
Expert Response
Might it be Agapanthia cardui?
The pics aren't great but it looks like a long-horned beetle, black with a stripe down the back.
Actually, my first ID isn't right - the head is a different shape. What do you think?
Actually, my first ID isn't right - the head is a different shape. What do you think?
I think your right. It doesn’t look like a long horned beetle I am curious as to how to kill them my neighbor says liquid seven. I have some bee hives and seven says it is deadly for bees I am amazed how quickly they clean leaves off of plants
Hi,
This is a blister beetle, family Melodiae. Here is a reference: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/blister_beetles_handle_with_care
Yes, there are many pesticides/insecticides that would kill this beetle but they would also kill many other insects like bees. There are types of a product called Bt (for short) that are more specific. Certain kinds of Bt only kill beetle larva. Here's an article about Bt:
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/btgen.html#:~:text=It%20is%20used%20to%20kill,%2C%20black%20flies%2C%20and%20moths.&text=Bt%20is%20also%20toxic%20to%20nematodes.&text=Bt%20has%20been%20registered%20for,(U.S.%20EPA)%20since%201961This article says that Bt tenebrionis and Bt japonensis control beetle larvae and Bt tenebrionis controls beetle larvae. Whichever Bt you choose, it should say on the label that it controls beetle larvae.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
Barb
