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Growing Tomatoes

June Bugs Eating My Tomatoes

sandrab_gardener

16 years ago

The first time ever, I am having June bugs just bury themselves in my tomatoes. I understand Sevin spray will combat these, but I would like to know how to prevent this if possible. I have got piles of dead June bugs between my rows -- I just have never seen anything like this! Any suggestions????

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Comments (13)

gonefishin
16 years ago
Are you sure that they are June bugs instead of Japanese Beetles. I do not think that June bugs eat anything after they change from Grub Worms and emerge from the ground. I think that they just mate to assure the next generation then die.

At least I have never had them bother anything after they come up out of the ground, and mostly just St. Augustine Grass roots while underground.
Bill P.
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sandrab_gardener
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, they are definitely June bugs -- huge and green!!! The April freeze did away with the Japanese beetles.
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Hi all, let me try to clear up a few things. I'm not really looking at the carnivorous plants as an control measure, just want to have fun and try some interesting plants. The cutworms I have are leaf eaters not root eaters but there are different types of cutworms and some may well eat roots. They are the larva of certain moths and grow very fast. I have caught some at the first sign of leaf damage that where less then 1/4 inch long, put them in a jar to study them and fed them leafs from my tomato plants (I cut the leafs with leaf miner damage - not good leafs) and in a few days I had this! Nasty things! Another thing they seem to really enjoy is finding young seedlings and cutting the plant at the soil line. This kills the plant and to really piss one off they don't eat the top of the plant. They cut it just for spite I guess. The one at the top right is about as big as they get, too big for the fly trap? I will research the sarracenia. I would love to try and get away from using pesticides to control the darn things but so far the only thing I have found that works is Sevin. I try to use as little Sevin as possible so I will find the cutworms from time to time when looking over my plants. I have been smashing them with my fingers - yuck. It sure would be fun to drop them into a carnivorous plant instead. Just for spite ;-) Take care, DC
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gobig_or_gohome_toms
16 years ago
I thought june bugs were brown.
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sandrab_gardener
Original Author
16 years ago
They are very big. Their backs are a transparent green and I thought it to be a June bug. It looks like they are coming out of the ground for they are directly under my tomato plants. What on earth could these bugs be? How can I rid them before they take over????
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bean_counter_z4
16 years ago
They are Japanese Beetles. If you find a way to get rid of them, you will be an instant millionaire. Thread below from the rose forum. If it's any comfort, they like roses better than anything.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beetle thread with photos
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sandrab_gardener
Original Author
16 years ago
I am very familiar with Japanese beetles, they even eat up my green beans and love my Crepe Myrtle bushes - I have had none eating them this year because of the Easter freeze. I know that they are definitely not them. These are much bigger.
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malorn
16 years ago
There is a green june bug...flies during the day..it will feed on plants but prefers thick skinned fruits like fig..

I'm not saying this is your pest but it would be best to get an accurate ID..Most of mine I just pick and squish...google "green june bug"..lots of pictures of it..

I thought Sevin was more effective for the grub stage, but never checked it out cuz I pick them as said..I just got a warning letter from my office ext. about using Sevin (or any chemicals) right now as it will also get the pollinators which are out now in my area..don't know about yours..

Good luck...any of these beetles are a pain in the butt
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digdirt2
16 years ago
Check out this info sheet about the green June beetle noted in your area and they love ripe tomatoes it seems. It includes control tips.

Here is a link that might be useful: Green June Beetle
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sandrab_gardener
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for your helpful insight! I really do appreciate your help on this ever-growing problem. Yes, Sevin seemed to destroy all of the flowers and I hated using it, but I needed something. I will apply it just directly to the ground. From what I see, they are definitely coming out of the ground. Thank all of you so very much!
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just4funsies_2007
16 years ago
Hey guys. I live in Coastal Virginia, and yes Japanese beetles were trying to get my tomatoes. I used sevin dust with excellent results. I know a lot of people don't like using chemicals, but I just couldn't let them destroy my heirlooms!!! Tomatoes are self pollinating, so I wouldn't worry about that.
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just4funsies_2007
16 years ago
bump...is there any other way to control besides using chemicals?
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farkee
16 years ago
Yes, certain beneficial nematodes and milky spore.

Check the link below for explanation of these and other biological control methods.

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese beetle control
0
Labradors
6 years ago
Get some chickens?

They sound awful!

Linda
0

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