Over the last few weeks my hosta garden (over 500 different) has been invaded by these awful black beetles. I would smash them and they would merely walk away with their guts hanging out. surely they aren't indestructable

before I had my shoulder surgery I would stand out there and pick them off and smash them between my fingers (with gloves on of course, ewww) They would be everywhere, on one plant and none on the next. they seem to prefer the all green ones, but they are moving on as they demolish the green ones. they first leave them with lacy curly strands, and then nothing is left but stems. then they move on. however, they seem to be on a lot all at once now that I can't lean over and pick the dang things. besides there are thousands and probably a half acre of plants.

Their droppings are all over and most of the time they come in twos connected you know where. they are eating machines and breeding fast.

I have never ever seen them before. My daughter who lives in Indiana, told me she has them too and had never seen them before. she doesn't have hostas, but she says it is eating her roses and dogwood trees.

What are they?????







the next one is partaking of tea and crumpets ha ha










i gave up on the video

By coincidence, somebody posted about blister beetles on the Midwest forum, so I searched and found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B...

I think they could be your bug.

oh great glad i used gloves

I'd be getting out the Seven. Blister Beetles are nasty nasty creatures.

do you think that would kill them?

Ugh Sevin is nasty stuff...

i know,

Posted this on DG too...

Apply an insecticide to kill any remaining blister beetles. Avoid the temptation to wait before using an insecticide. These insects act so quickly when consuming your plants that the sooner you use an insecticide, the quicker you can save your plants. According to Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension, approved insecticides you can use to kill blister beetles include Sevin and Thiodin. Organic options include natural chemicals such as pyrethrum and rotenone, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Center. Follow the product directions carefully to ensure that you kill all remaining blister beetles.

Those insecticides will kill good bugs too so use with caution...

thank you kelly, believe me i know how quickly they are multiplying. it is scary, i wish my video would post, you can just see them eating and reproducing.

That is frightening Susan!!! Those beetles look like water beetles... but way bigger and nastier!!! I havent seen them in MN... but it is good to know what they are and how to rid yourself of them!!

I have ear wigs and slugs up here! That's enough for me!!!

I would be out there as soon as possible with the Seven. Sometimes, chemicals are the only choice.

DH tested it on one plant this morning, seems to have worked, now it is too hot to spray, so i guess they get another night to reproduce, expect to wake up to black blister bugs covering the house. eeeekkkk

DH the bug man to the rescue!!!!

I'd spray tonight and get them while they are sneaking about.

Yuck! Those are nasty. Hope you get rid of them soon. (I think I'd rather not see the video!)

Rose

this morning i leaned over a large hosta that was covered with these and you could HEAR them eating.

geepers it's like the grasshoppers that devistated the land decades ago!!!

Kitty, did you feed them some Seven on the hostas they were munching on?? You know a spoon full of Seven helps the hostas go down!! (done in my best Mary Poppins' voice).

I have these things eating my clematis too. I couldn't believe it. they are as bad as Japanese beetle...

Oh No!! Not you too Charleen!!!