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Ornamentals and Turf |
Green June beetles emerged in the Raleigh area on June 29, following the good rainfall. These large adults are harmless to people. They may feed on a few leaves and fermenting fruit, but mostly they just fly about and scare or annoy people. Green June beetles are more common in older lawns and pastures with high organic content soils or turf which has been fertilized with manure. Sevin insecticide can be used to protect foliage and fruit also, if needed. Ornamental and Turf Insect Note No. 67, White Grubs in Turf, provides information on controlling beetle grubs, which is rarely necessary for the homeowner.
Now that the annual cicadas are out, the cicada killer wasp is right behind. The cicada killer wasp uses cicadas to provision its nest. Cicadas are caught and stung by the wasp, then dragged back to the nest. Once in the nest, the female wasp lays her eggs on the cicada. Soon wasp larvae hatch from the eggs and feed upon the cicada. When mature, the wasp larvae pupate and another generation of wasps emerges to carry on the life cycle. The cicada killer wasp is one of the most attractive wasps, and the sight and sound of many wasps swarming in a yard is impressive. Although these wasps appear to be ferocious, I know of no one who has ever been stung by them even though the females have an impressive stinger (males do not sting). Control is usually not nearly as necessary as the homeowner thinks since the wasps represent little danger to humans. The active period only lasts a few weeks, anyway. Because they control cicadas, these wasps can be regarded as beneficial. Ornamentals and Turf Insect Information Note No. 63 has additional information on the biology and control of cicada killer wasps.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on July 6, 2004 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.
