Rose Beetle: Identification and Management

Beetles make up forty percent of the insect population and while we need them in our gardens, some species wreak havoc. The rose beetle, also known as the rose beetle and rose bug, is a species of beetle that has many food sources and very few predators. These voracious beetles eat the soft parts of a variety of flowers, trees, fruits and shrubs.

fortunately, Bumblebee beetles cause only minor damage They are not considered dangerous invaders unless found in large numbers. High populations are challenging and cause severe stress and plant decay.

What are rose bumble beetles?

pink beetle (Macrodactylus subspinosus) are found in southeastern Canada, the eastern United States, and west to Montana and Colorado. They feed on a wide range of host plants. And they especially like roses, peonies, hollyhocks, poppies, dahlias and chrysanthemums. They feed on fruits such as grapes, blueberries, peaches and strawberries. They damage evergreen plants such as spruce, Frasier fir, and Scots pine. Some vegetables like corn, peppers and beans are their food source.

Adults also feed on young leaves of trees and shrubs. The larvae (larvae) feed on the roots of weeds. The larvae do not damage lawns or garden plants, but A large number of adults damage fruit and ornamental plants.,

The beetles thrive in sandy soils because they are conducive to laying and hatching eggs, but they easily fly to other habitats in search of food. Most birds and small mammals don’t eat them: they contain a nasty chemical toxin. Make sure you don’t share them with your chickens.

Signs of damage

Rodents leave large, irregular holes in flowers, buds, fruits and leaves as they “wear away” the upper surface of leaves and petals. They also skeletonize the leaves. Feeding on the soft tissue between the veins.,

You can detect the adult moth if you notice its damage. They all emerge at about the same time in late spring and feed during the day. Moths are strong fliers capable of flying. Travel long distances to find food sources.They may fly in from other areas during their active week.

ID

Adult rose beetles are slender, medium-sized beetles about an inch and a half long. your body Greenish brown Orange legs and dark prickly knots. Their short antennae have segmented tips at the tip.

Like other beetles, their straight wings form a line that looks like an armored shield. When they fly, they look like wasps.

The larvae (worms) are rarely visible; They make burrows in sandy soils to feed and winter.Its body is curved and white, the head is brown and six legs are visible. Its length is up to three-quarters of an inch.

Life cycle

Only one generation hatches from eggs per year. Adults emerge from the ground in late spring and feed for about three weeks.

Females lay eggs (between six and forty) in sandy soil to a depth of six inches, each egg in a separate cavity. The eggs hatch after two or three weeks.,

The larvae feed on the roots of grass and weeds, mainly in open sandy areas. In the larva stage they do not eat or damage garden plants or grass.

When the temperature drops in autumn, Dig a deep hole in the ground below the snow line.The larvae overwinter in the soil, pupate, and emerge as adults in warm soil the following spring.

Treatment

Rose bumblebee beetles emerge in late May. Start exploring in late springEspecially if you have experienced this infection before.

Fortunately, their presence is usually small and their short period of activity only causes mild to moderate damage. Mature trees and shrubs usually recover without intervention.

During the growing season

Bumblebees are only active for two to four weeks. hoe or hand brush Separate small populations of leaves and stems and place them in a bucket. soapy waterThe large number of busy beetles may require manual collection more than once a day.

For larger shrubs or tree branches, place a tarp under the plant and shake the stem well. The fallen insects will fall into the bucket.

In case of large quantities and multiple plants affected, B.T.especially Bacillus thuringiensis Subspecies Galleries (SDS-502 strain) is sometimes effective. This particular strain of bacteria attacks beetles, but there is also another List of negative impacts on monarch butterfly larvae, Do not use this Bt variety if you have monarch host plants in your garden. or edible plants.

Bt is a bacteria that disrupts the digestion of beetles (including Japanese beetles) and other insects. It is a biological control that prevents them from eating. Bt is only effective if insects eat it and must be applied repeatedly during its active weeks.

Insecticides such as pyrethrum and isopropyl alcohol mixtures are possible treatments. Use one teaspoon of alcohol per liter of diluted pyrethrum mixture. Apply it every three to five days for two weeks during the active period.

Use insecticides carefully to minimize damage to pollinators and beneficial insects. Remove flowers before treatment. Spray according to label directions in the evening or early morning, when pollinators are least active.

Prevention

In infection-prone areas, A physical barrier that covers the plants helpsFloating row covers, fine mesh netting or cheesecloth are good protection in late May and June. Put covers on when insects are active and remove them after the feeding cycle.

General beetle prevention includes. Lightly till the soil in spring and fall.. The idea is to expose the larvae to birds, other predators and colder temperatures. However, exposing roseate beetle larvae is a challenge because they choose open, sandy areas that may be far from the garden.

An additional deterrent against beetles includes: Milky spore powder ,Bacillus popilliae)However, it takes a few years to be effective and rose bugs travel. They can fly at any time, whether or not they have emerged in a given area.

Frequently asked questions