Geraniums could help control devastating Japanese beetle
Popillia japonica Newman: The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, is a widespread and destructive pest of turf, landscape, and ornamental plants in the United States. It is also a pest of several fruit, garden, and field crops, and has a total host range of more than 300 plant species. Adult Japanese beetles feed on foliage, flowers, and fruits. Leaves are typically skeletonized or left with only tough network of veins. The larvae, commonly known as white grubs, primarily feed on roots of grasses often destroying turf in lawns, parks, and golf courses. Currently the Japanese beetle is the most widespread pest of turf grass and costs the turf and ornamental industry approximately $450 million each year in management alone. Outside of its native Japan, Popillia japonica is found in China, Russia, Portugal, Canada and the USA.
Source: http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/beetles/Japanese_beetle.htm
Using Geraniums to control Japanese beetle
It has been observed that within 30 minutes of consuming geranium petals, the Popillia japonica Newman beetle rolls over on its back, its legs and antennae slowly twitch, and it remains paralyzed for several hours. The beetles typically recover within 24 hours when paralyzed under laboratory conditions, but they often succumb to death under field conditions after predators spot and devour the beetles while they are helpless.
Entomologist Chris Ranger at the agency’s Application Technology Research Unit in Wooster, Ohio, is working on developing a way to use geraniums to control the beetles.
March 10, 2010