Beetle Kryptonite

Have you seen your first Japanese beetles of the season?  I have seen a few in our Rose Garden  — thankfully not too many.  Yet.

In the May/June 2010 edition of The American Gardener (published by the American Horticulture Society), I came across an interesting little article.  According to scientists in Ohio, there is research showing the zonal geranium is harmful to Japanese beetles.  The blooms of the geranium (Like everything else, it seems!) is an attractive snack for the Japanese beetle, but chemicals found in the blooms can cause paralysis.  This is in itself is not fatal, but the paralysis can last up to 24 hours and predators often snatch them up before they can recover.

Have these scientists found the Japanese beetle’s kryptonite??  Additional research and time will tell.  According to the article, about 450 million dollars is spent each year to purchase control methods and replace plants damaged by Japanese beetles. 

See you in the gardens.

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