beetle that only targets chinese lantern leaves

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joelcoqui Roslyn, United States May 06, 2010

What is it? Nurserys dont know for sure cause insecticidal soap dont work. Its 1/4" long with an orange head and a black and beige striped body. It doesnt eat anything else but the chinese lantern leaves. Help. thanks.

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joelcoqui Roslyn, United States May 06, 2010

better photo

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kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) May 06, 2010

I think it is one of the Flea Beetles in the Chrysomelidae. One species that feeds on Physalis (Chinese Lantern) plants if the False Potato Beetle - Leptinotarsa juncta: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_potato_beetle

Kennedy

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joelcoqui Roslyn, United States May 07, 2010

Ok. I think thats it. How do I get rid of them, Seven powder?

This message was edited May 7, 2010 11:16 AM

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV May 07, 2010

Unfortunately, your photos are focused on the background rather than on the insect in question. All false potato beetles I have seen (they are quite common here) are larger than 1/4" long; another possibility is the three-lined potato beetle, Lema daturaphila - see http://tinyurl.com/2doug8j; or if they jump, one of the flea beetles in the genus Disonycha - see http://tinyurl.com/23oo8sn for an example.

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joelcoqui Roslyn, United States May 10, 2010

It can be either or. Looks like Disonycha pensylvanica. My bug doesnt have a hard shell and its kind of flat and not shaped like a lady bug. How do I get rid of them? Thank you

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV May 10, 2010

Any pesticide registered for homeowner use against chewing insects should work; if you use Sevin, be sure to apply it at times when bees are not active, as it is extremely toxic to them.

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joelcoqui Roslyn, United States Jun 04, 2010

Well, the leaves are all chewed up and nothing left but yellow powdery stuff. I assume its the eggs. Insecticidal soap didnt work either.

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