Adult Japanese beetles feed on the leaves of many species of plants, particularly linden, grapes, and roses. While I have received very few calls about Japanese beetles from Platte County or further north, I have received calls from Hamilton County about numerous beetles damaging plants.
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When control is required, organic options are hand-picked or tossed in a bucket of soapy water. Roses can be protected with a fine-meshed net. Neem and Pyola are two organic sprays that can protect plants for 3 to 7 days. Synthetic insecticides containing pyrethrin, bifenthrin, or carbaryl (Sevin) can provide two weeks of protection.
Since some of these insecticides affect pollinators, spray in the evening and after the plants have bloomed. Be sure to follow the directions on the label to avoid harming the pollinators. And don’t use Japanese bug traps in your yard; unless you want to invite many more bugs to eat your plants.
Tobacco budworms chew holes in flower buds or petals, especially on geraniums and petunias. Affected flower buds often do not open. Those that open have holey petals. The larva feeds for about a month; then falls to the ground to pupate. There are two generations per year, with the second causing the greatest damage. The small striped caterpillars vary in color and the adult is a moth.
Fighting budworms is difficult. Once the caterpillars are in the bud, there is no more control. Monitor plants and handpick in the evening. Insecticides with permethrin, bifenthrin, or spinosad can reduce the number. The best way to control budworms is to stop growing what they normally attack and start growing various annuals.
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