Bug of the Month: Rose Chafer

              There are brownish green beetles all over by flowers.  They seem to be mating!  What can I do!

              This year the Rose Chafer has been spotted in a number of places around Piscataquis County.  They especially love rose and peony blossoms as well as the foliage of mountain ash and elms.  They will also damage apples, strawberries, hydrangea and many other ornamental plants.

They typically arrive in mid to late June and only feed for about three weeks.  Home gardeners can hand pick the insects from their shrubs and flowers or shake the beetles into a can or onto a ground cloth.  You need to do this every morning and early evening to get effective control.  You can also use a protective cloth cover like Remay or cheese cloth to protect plants.  A word of warning to folks who keep free-range poultry: Rose Chafers can poison and kill poultry and other birds.

There are insecticides registered for use on these pests but since Rose Chafers are strong flyers they can migrate for miles in search of choice edibles.  Many botanical insecticides may need to be reapplied.  Make sure you read and follow the label directions and do not apply any pesticide more often than the label specifies.

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