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What is this bug

Cat 3Cat 3 Posts: 107
in Problem solving
I have 2 young lavender plants, just starting to put out new foliage. Yesterday I saw a magpie try to mount them, strange.  This morning I noticed that each spike had a black beetle on it about the size of a ladybird and I'm not sure but it sounded like a ticking noise.  I pulled some off but they escaped down into the soil.  Can any one help and what should I do? Thank you.
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  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I think it is a Rosemary beetle. They like lavender as well. When I pick them off I put my other hand underneath to catch them. I crush them with a stone. They damaged my rosemary badly last year and this year I found some in a lavender. That was in France but I read that they have come to the UK as well.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Cat 3Cat 3 Posts: 107
    Thank you. I'm going to give them a blast with bug spray. If I can catch them I will. Problem is my eyesight is not good and when they just dropped to the ground they scurry away I think I might have to put paper or something underneath to catch them. I'm hoping a spray will have some effect.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Please don't spray if bees are about. You can also shake them into a bowl of soapy water.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Cat 3Cat 3 Posts: 107
    Okay - I know.
  • Desi_in_LondonDesi_in_London Posts: 731
    I am sure @Busy-Lizzie is much more experienced than I am at gardening, so entirely possible there is more than one kind of rosemary beetle , or that it is black in some stage of its life-cycle, but the ones i have seen ( on rosemary and lavender, seem not to be on the sage at least) are brightly coloured beautiful stripy things ( of that rough ladybird size). 
    Kindness is always the right choice.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    It's time we stopped relying on sprays before they kill everything including us


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    The beetles on my rosemary were stripy and shiny in the sunlight @Desi_in_London but not very brightly coloured, a bit green and purple. They looked black in the shade. @Cat 3 said her eyesight isn't good and there is no photo.

    There were lots last year that I killed and only a few so far this year. Now I'm in the UK and I don't know what they are doing in my French garden. Forgot to mention them to the man who cares for it when I'm away. I don't use insect sprays.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Unless you know what they are, spraying is pointless, apart from being problematic.
    You need the correct ID first, then you take appropriate action depending on your point of view. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Desi_in_LondonDesi_in_London Posts: 731
    Sorry , @Busy-Lizzie , had missed the bit re poor eyesight. For what its worth, plenty around in London this season. I guess they look obviously iridescent / metallic vs black to me ( and obviously coloured in purple/green/stripes although as you say these are much more colourful in the sun) , and i'd categorise myself as poor-sighted too, although my colour perception is pretty good.
    Kindness is always the right choice.
  • Cat 3Cat 3 Posts: 107
    Hi Guys I took the bugs off dropped in soapy water and squash them.

    I will check to see if there are any more tomorrow.

    Thanks for your help.

    Caterina


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