No one who tends a garden likes to see their hard work ruined by bugs feasting on the crops. As gardeners, we spend a lot of time getting rid of pests that eat our plants and spread diseases, but it's just as important to know which pests we should invite. Fortunately, it is possible to scare off the unwanted guests. In the following article you will find more information about which beetles are currently flying – you should be able to correctly identify the “bad” beetles. With the help of these pictures and descriptions you can identify beetles in the garden and then successfully combat them.
Identifying beetles in the garden – the red-black common fire bug (Pyrrhocorus apertus)
The common fire bugs are bright red in color with black markings in the shape of a trapezoid, two large dots and a triangle. They are widespread in many European, Chinese, Australian, Indian and American regions. There are about 300 different species of fire bugs, all in the same family,Pyrrhocoridae, belong. Their maximum length is between 9 and 12 mm and they have 6 black legs and 2 antennae. These insects are likely to attract attention when they are seen in your garden.
Can fire bugs be harmful?
The fire bug's bright red and black coloring is reminiscent of other insects that brag about being dangerous. Howeversting or biteThey don't, so they are only dangerous to their natural enemies. In addition, they do not transmit diseases to plants and do not harm plant populations. Although they are herbivores, waste and seeds (as well as occasional smaller insects) make up the majority of their diet. Therefore, they do not cause any damage to common plant species.
The plant remains that fire bugs ingest are converted into poison in their bodies.These breathtaking creaturesare deadly, but only if consumed. Only a handful of bird species, such as finches, have evolved to eat the bugs for the poison they contain. Most birds and other predators avoid an area where there are insects because of their bright colors. However, dead fire bugs are a treat for ants and mites.
The red lily chicken (Lilioceris liii)
The lily beetles (familyChrysomelidae) are 6 – 8 mm long and are all herbivores, although they rarely cause damage to garden plants. The lily hens are often brightly colored. Both the adult and larval stages of the lily beetle eat lily and fritillaria leaves. The adults occasionally feed on other plants, but only lilies and chess flowers harbor the beetle's eggs and subsequent larval stages.
What gardeners need to pay attention to
- Adult beetles are dark red in color and the head and legs are black.
- The orange eggs are grouped on the undersides of the leaves.
- The 6 to 8 millimeters long larvae are plump, reddish brown and black in color. Young larvae feed on the underside of leaves, producing white or brown, dried patches, and are usually completely hidden by their own moist, black droppings. The older larvae eat the entire leaf, from the leaf tips to the stem, and they may also eat flower petals, stems and seed pods. Adult beetles gnaw circular holes in the foliage and may also consume flower petals and maturing seed pods.
Which beetles are currently flying? The Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
It is a common misconception that the Asian lady beetle is the same as ladybugs. Asian lady beetles can vary in color from pale brown to deep red and may or may not have black markings. There is a small “M” or “W” directly under the Asian lady beetle’s head.
Are Asian lady beetles pests or beneficial insects?
Predatory Asian lady beetles feed on a variety of insects, such as aphids, mealybugs, thrips and scale insects. When Asian lady beetles live outdoors and eat plant pests they are considered beneficial, but when introduced indoors they can cause a lot of problems. Asian lady beetles can become a major problem if they invade your home. They swarm to the warm, sunny side of your house, where they find several entry points.
Green beetle flying in the garden in June – the golden rose chafer (Golden Ketonia)
The golden or common rose chafer is a 14 – 20 mm long, broad beetle with metallic, copper-green wing coverts that have tiny, creamy white stripes. The intersection of the elytra is marked with a v-shaped symbol. The beetle inhabits open areas such as grasslands, bushes and forest edges. During the warm summer and fall months, the adults feed on flowers.The larvaespend 2 to 3 years underground feeding on decomposing plant material before emerging as adults. They play a crucial role in keeping natural ecosystems healthy by recycling the nutrients consumed by animals. The pupae overwinter underground or in decaying wood before emerging as adults the following spring.
The green beetles can cause some damage to roses and flowers
The flight of rose beetles is quite noisy as they fly around in whirls looking for prey. The presence of a green rose beetle is immediately recognizable to you. Unfortunately, the adult stages of these insects are destructive to roses and other flowers as they bite off their petals. They are considered pests by many gardeners.
Recognize brown beetles – June beetles (Amphimallon solstitiale)
These brown beetles are most commonly seen in the evening hours of spring. June beetles are nocturnal insects that can be observed under brightly lit windows and on patios during the day. These insects can be found everywhere in Europe. The adult form of the beetle emerges from the ground in June, hence the name “June beetle”. June beetles are generally quite large - they can reach a size of up to 3.5 cm. These beetles have three pairs of legs and can be either black or dark brown. They also have eating mouthparts and their elytra are shiny. Female June beetles lay their eggs underground. The eggs are white in color and elongated in shape when laid, and the larvae eventually mature into larger, spherical shapes.
Identifying beetles in the garden – June beetles as pests
The June beetle is a pest that can cause significant damage to plants in your garden. These nocturnal beetles are particularly annoying –the white larvaelive underground in habit. They feed on the roots of seedlings and pose a threat to the tender seedlings. June beetle larvae weaken or destroy a variety of plants, making them a problematic agricultural pest. Garden plants, including tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries and ornamental plants, are attacked by the larvae. The adults eat leaves from trees and bushes - they like fruit and deciduous trees and shrubs.
Which beetles are currently flying? weevil (Curculionidae)
These insects belong to the family ofCurculionidae(Weevils) – the Curculionidae is one of the largest families with over 50,000 species. The antennae of most weevils are long and curved and can be folded into special grooves on the trunk when not in use.Some membersof the family are not capable of flight at all, while others have perfectly developed wing structures. There are small to large weevils, 1 – 20 mm, and all have a clear sign – the proboscis. Although most are brown or gray, there are a few that are vividly colored.
What do weevils eat?
For the vast majority of weevils, plants are the only source of food. The fleshy, legless larvae of most species feed only on a specific part of a plant, such as the flower head, seeds, fleshy fruits, stems or roots. Many larvae feed exclusively on a single plant species or on many species that are closely related to each other. The diet of adult weevils is often less specialized than in their youth - they like to feed on rhododendrons, cherry laurel, peas, beans, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, brassicas, radishes and appear on fruit trees.
It is likely that the development of the proboscis, used not only for penetration and feeding but also for drilling holes for egg laying, contributed to the success of the weevils. Weevils have mouthparts that are shaped into downwardly curved trunks. In most cases, the curved antennae protrude from the center of the snout. It is possible for a weevil's trunk to be significantly longer than the insect's body.
The bark beetle (Scolytinae) can be observed in June
These insects are cylindrical in shape, typically less than 12 millimeters long, can be brown or black in color, and are often very destructive. Bark beetles (there are more than 3,500 species in the world) are a subfamily of weevils. Both the male and female build a tunnel through the trunk of the tree to create an egg chamber.
Different species of bark beetles are responsible for damage to certain trees, for example the roots, trunks, seeds or fruits. Other bark beetles are responsible for spreading plant diseases.
