CLOSED: Could he be the culprit?

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sjweld Reedsburg, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 10, 2007

Something is eating holes in my plants. I found this little guy out there the other day. Could he be eating these holes in my leaves? If so, what do I do to get him to go away???

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sjweld Reedsburg, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 10, 2007

Here is one more picture of him:

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sjweld Reedsburg, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 16, 2007

bumping this up incase someone may know this (beetle?) and tell me how to best treat for it if indeed it is a threat. This season is about over (frost 2 nights ago) but I would like to avoid the damage if I can for next year.

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Sep 17, 2007

What is the plant that they're eating? It might help to narrow it down, but it is so tiny it's hard to see

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Lily_love Central, AL(Zone 7b) Sep 17, 2007

sj;
It's difficult to tell, since there isn't any thing nearby to get the accurate scale of the beetles. I suspect it may be flea-bettles, typically when fleas' beetles appear, they congergate in large number, and eat/pierce the leaves to leave behind small holes on the leaves. Also, they hide in low growing shrubery areas (no air circulation). The location of the plants would also help I.D.

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sjweld Reedsburg, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 17, 2007

Ah, yes. Ok, the beetle was VERY small. Here is an earlier season shot of the plant it is on:

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Sep 17, 2007

Well, I can i.d. the plant anyway - it's a cutleaf rudbeckia, Rudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia' or 'Golden Glow'. It's known for aphid problems, and I did find one reference to flea beetles eating this plant.


http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/81738/

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sjweld Reedsburg, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 18, 2007

Ok, well I have the whole winter to read up on both aphids and flea beetles. Maybe I can decide which one is eating my plant and avoid it next year. Thanks for all your help. You guys are all great here at DG.

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Lily_love Central, AL(Zone 7b) Sep 18, 2007

One thing I can tell is that aphids don't puncture holes on your plants. They are soft-bodies critters and they suck the sap out of your plants' leaf which in turn will show discoloration and eventually turn patchy in color then wilt. Beetles of various kinds, as well as caterpillars, slugs and snails and a whole hosts of others that have mouth parts that chew on your leaves. Keep us posted when you find out what THAT beetle is.

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sjweld Reedsburg, WI(Zone 4b) Sep 18, 2007

Will do! Thanks again

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