Snapdragons in old Radio Flyer beside mailbox
Now some kind of beetles (Junebugs, I think) are all over my knockout roses. I don't know if they're harming the roses or not. I'm not going to do anything about them until I'm sure. I don't want to kill any Junebugs if I don't have to. Those little bugs were favorite toys of my childhood. Anybody else ever tie a Junebug to a string and let him fly around your head?
I found this little birdie garden ornament in Hobby Lobby's clearance items. Something like $2.98, I paid.
Apparently the Junebugs don't like pink knockouts.
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On 05/31/2012, Barbara Anne said ...
What lovely flowers! The snapdragons in the wagon are so sweet! Did you drill drainage holes in the bottom of the wagon, then fill it with dirt and plant or are the plants in pots?
I know nothing about June bugs and roses, but your local garden center could probably answer your question over the phone. That way, you could get the roses sprayed promptly if the bugs are harmful. We have to spray our flowering fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, cherry) when Japanese beetles invade, usually in June. These bugs look like they have kabuki makeup on and they'll eat the leaves until only leaf skeletons are left.
Hope you can sit on your porch and enjoy the beautiful flowers filling your yard! Have some sweet tea, or perhaps a Long Island tea!
Hugs!
On 05/31/2012, Cheryl said ...
They look like Japanese beetles. Not a good bug. Voracious eaters. Unfortunately, they love roses.
On 05/31/2012, Beverly said ...
Those are definitely Japanese beetles. My mother said they used to call them June bugs. They are drawn to color and fragrance, and they will eat buds until they are completely gone. Whatever you do, don't put up a trap. Even though many do get trapped, the traps actually draw them from other yards.
Your snapdragons are gorgeous, and they look so nice in the wagon.♥
On 05/31/2012, Sandra Hutchins said ...
Japanese beetles and June Bugs are not the same insect. The Japanese beetles are smaller and very destructive. June Bugs are larger, even though they are all colored about the same. We have Japanese beetles every year on our orchard, the crepe myrtles, and the rose bushes. Their grubs live in the ground over winter and eat the grass roots, then the beetles hatch and come out to eat on our plants, and then lay eggs back into the lawn to repeat the yearly cycle. Spray the beetles, put grub killer on the lawn to break the cycle. Beautiful flowers and roses, by the way!
On 05/31/2012, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Yep, I looked up photos of Japanese beetles, and that's what they are. Dammit! For a carefree plant, these knockout roses sure require a lot of care. I'll call Steve and tell him to come treat for Japanese beetles. (And yeah, they are smaller than Junebugs. Thanks, al.
On 05/31/2012, Mountain Musings said ...
Susan, love the antique flower wagon...just perfect by the mailbox! Yes, I grew up tying string to Junie bugs and watching them fly around...good memories.
I'll have to check my knockouts...from a distance all looks well. but maybe i need to inspect more closely before they're all eaten up!
On 05/31/2012, Mountain Musings said ...
oops, I forgot to sign out of typepad....that's Deb's comment below.
On 06/01/2012, Karen in Michigan said ...
I have to agree with the crowd--those are evil Japanese beetles. They are ravenous. The best thing for them is soapy water. I mix regular dish soap and water in a spray bottle and have at the plants. The soap won't harm the plants but the beetles hate it. Do it early and do it often or you won't have roses or much of anything else.
On 06/01/2012, Nicole said ...
Your wagon full of flowers is so cute. Love the pop of color.
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