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Shiny Blue Beetles eating rhubarb leaves

ShillShill Posts: 3
in Problem solving

I'm having trouble identifying some tiny shiny blue beetles that are munching through my rhubarb leaves. They are easy to pick off but no sooner have a removed and squashed them more appear. Could anyone help suggest what they might be so I can look for some organic pest control.

Posts

  • ItalophileItalophile Posts: 1,731

    I get plagues of shiny metallic blue/green bettles, Shill. They savage my sage plants every year and move onto other leaves. I think they're dock leaf green beetles. Google an image of the name and see what you think.

  • ShillShill Posts: 3
    Thanks, that's them! Now to find a way of controlling them. Squashing them every day just isn't enough.
  • ItalophileItalophile Posts: 1,731

    One way of controlling them is to nip them in the (as it were) bud. The females lay their eggs on the underside of the plant leaves. You'll see clumps of the tiny yellow/orange things. Destroy those to begin with.

  • ShillShill Posts: 3

    Great stuff. I've removed all the eggs and I'm doing a daily beetle squash along with removal of slugs. I'm determined to enjoy my rhubarb crumble this year......

    Thanks for your help.

  • lizzywizlizzywiz Posts: 1

    HI

    I have these pests on my rhubarb leaves too!  where do they come from?

     

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