Roses are one of the most notorious flowers because of their aesthetic. Most gardeners are proud of their roses bush(es) and take great care of them.
If you have roses in your garden then you most likely have had some pest feeding on the pedals of your beautiful flowers. Hoplia beetles are known for feeding on roses and other plants and vegetation all across California thus not excluding Manteca, Ripon or even Lathop .
Hoplia beetles can destroy your beautiful rose buds and other flowering plants if they are not taken care of. Luckily, hoplia beetles are easy to identify.
What is a Hoplia Beetle?
A hoplia beetle is a small oval shaped pest about ¼ inch long. They are a dark reddish brown in color with lightish brown wings. hoplia beetles often are mistaken for japanese beetles. The main difference between japanese beetles and hoplia beetles are the green accents on a japanese beetle, hoplia beetles don’t have any green on them.
What time of year are hoplia beetles the worst?
Hoplia beetles are a very unique pest because they have only one generation a year. Meaning there is only one cycle of hoplia beetles and then you don’t have to worry about them for the rest of the year.
Hoplia beetles are only a problem in spring from late March to May. Hoplia beetles mostly feed on light-colored blossoms and roses. They are attracted to colored flowers, chewing small holes through the flower petals.
If you know your yard is fond of beetles, it is best to plant a darker colored rose since beetles are attracted to light vibrant colored flowers.
A few flowers that Hoplia Beetles might attack include:
- Red roses
- White roses
- Pink Roses
- Apricot Roses
- Yellow Roses
- Irises Lilies
- Magnolias
- Calla
- Citrus
They also are not shy of vegetation, tearing through strawberry, almond, olive, grape, peach, and poppy plants.
How to Get Rid of Hoplia Beetles
Getting rid of Hoplia Beetles can be tricky because you don’t want to harm your rose bushes in doing so.
For those that have time and enjoy working in their garden,a simple way to get rid of hoplia beetles in your garden is to hand pick them off your rose petals and discard them. To discard the beetles you should place them in a bucket of soapy water. Plants should be monitored once every couple of days to avoid an infestation.
And for some a more desirable method is to fill white 5 gallon buckets with water and add a few drops of liquid soap. Place them around your garden and they will attract numerous hoplia beetles, but not necessarily all. And for those that want to really attack the problem, you may want to incorporate both.
Should I Hire a Professional?
Not really. Surprised!? The blossoms are so tight that insecticides cannot reach the protected hoplia beetle. And systemics would not be strong enough to give them a lethal dose.
If you are having difficulty identifying what could be damaging your plants or have unwanted guests contact Valley Pest Solutions We specialize in preventing pests on your property, inside and out. Speak with one of our pest management professionals to schedule a free consultation.