fabricflowers

Japanese beetles arrived in the area about two weeks early this year, but they may not cause the damage growers are used to seeing each summer.There are some specialists who are saying, as dry as Hair bands are, there is a good chance the numbers will be down said Donna Aufdenberg, horticulture specialist for the Southeast Region of the University of Missouri Extension.

Japanese beetles are visible in the area but so far, experts havent seen the numbers of beetles they have seen in the past, Aufdenberg said.Since we are so dry, even the eggs they lay may not survive Aufdenberg said. In a way, this dry period may have a positive effect and decrease the Japanese beetles."

The metallic-green beetles have bronze-colored wing covers. Just beneath the wing covers are six tufts of white hair along each side of their abdomen.They'll eat the petals of the flowers as well as the leaves Aufdenberg said.Japanese beetles can smell food up to four miles away, Aufdenberg said. Their favorite plants to feed on tend to be roses, crape myrtles and anything with fruit apples peaches blackberries grapes she said.

When they feed, they send off a hormone to the other beetles and say Come eat.I have found something good Aufdenberg said.The beetles start out as grubs under the ground and come out as beetles. They mate and go back into the ground to lay their eggs, and then they die.I have seen a few but they havent been a major issue for me," said Peggy Grimes of Sikeston, who is a master fabric flowers