Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Unknown beetle..

Jules63Jules63 Posts: 2
in Problem solving

I have a number of unknown beetles on my lemon balm, sage and rosemary (and probably on other things!).  Can anyone assist with identifying it, and advise what pest control to use - it is ladybird size, it is <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">iridescent silver/black with dark brown/red stripes down its back.

<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">

image

 Thanks in advance.

«1

Posts

  • SupernanaunaSupernanauna Posts: 61

    I don't know what it is - but isn't it beautiful?

  • sotongeoffsotongeoff Posts: 9,802
    Jules63 wrote (see)

    I have a number of unknown beetles on my lemon balm, sage and rosemary (and probably on other things!).  Can anyone assist with identifying it, and advise what pest control to use - it is ladybird size, it is <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">iridescent silver/black with dark brown/red stripes down its back.

    <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">

    image

     Thanks in advance.


    I am a bit concerned about "pest control"-it might not be could be a friend-has it done any damage?

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    I think this is probably a Rosemary beetle, which does munch on just the range of plants you mention, as do its larvae. If you google Rosemary beetle you can confirm (or not) the identification and recommended strategies. Shame, as it is pretty. But then, so are lily beetles...
  • happymarionhappymarion Posts: 4,591

    Looks like a baby chafer bug of some kind.  Look them up.  They are beautiful.  I get the rose chafer bug on my spireas.  They glitter in the sunshine like gold.

  • WintersongWintersong Posts: 2,436

    I rather like the go-faster stripes! Vrooooooomimage

  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171

    This is a mercenery thug.  I was aware of it in the garden for a couple of years and thought it was beautiful due to its golden colours.  I really became aware of it when I realised something was killing my rosemaries.  It is so much more destructive than lily beetles.  I posted photos on the BBC website but I can't find them on the site now - after posting I deleted them from my photos because they were too depressing to look at.  This is the only photo I have left and it was taken in 2008 a couple of years after killing my rosemaries and beginning their assault on the lavenders. I still have them and cannot get rid of them. I have tried re introducing rosemaries but the beetles are relentless.

    image

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619

    http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=555

  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171

    Okay I've found the link - I hope it works and the photos are on thread 25.  There are lots of very interesting postings on the thread regarding the beetles.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbgardening/NF2759007?thread=5782683

  • LavandeLavande Posts: 171

    Thanks for that link figrat - sorry my last post crossed with yours.  When I first spotted them there were very few related articles.  The photo on your link has captured them perfectly.  Basking on mass on my beautiful, gone but not forgotten rosemaries.

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    Oh Lavande, just had a look at the old Beeb link. How very upsetting. They really are a menace aren't they? Hope everyone reads this thread so they won't be seduced by the beetles' pretty glitter.
Sign In or Register to comment.