I spotted two live golden ground beetles and two deceased in the greenhouse today, so I thought a tribute profile would be appropriate.
A flightless beauty, this beetle distracts us with its iridescent ridged back and bright orange legs every time we happen upon one in the field. I took the photo above early this morning in the greenhouse.
Name: Carabus Auratus, Golden Ground Beetle
Occupation: Feasting upon the flesh of other insects, worms, slugs and snails. They spray a digestive secretion on their prey before consuming, which they clutch in their formidable mandibles.
These beetles are native to Europe and have a life expectancy of up to two years.
Prevention: Not really a beetle you want to get rid of, because as a general rule predatory beetles are beneficial insects for the gardener and farmer. However, some may find its consumption of highly regarded earthworms disturbing. Consequently, I am recruiting the golden ground beetle to attend my upcoming "Become a Better Beetle" seminar, which includes a lecture on why slugs taste better than earthworms. Also in the lecture series: "Why Are You Dying and/or Why Won't You Die", targeted toward good and bad beetles alike.
Good beetle or bad beetle: GOOD (as long as you can disregard the whole eating earthworms thing)
Welcome to good beetle bad beetle, the blog where learning about farm and garden pests is super hip!I work on a tiny farm in Vermont teeming with beetles. Some are good, some are bad. Is it that simple? I'd like to learn more about them and share my findings with the world...or just some nerdy farmsters.Let's start with a wee beetle I love to hate.
Name: Flea Beetle
Occupation: Decimating helpless seedlings, preferably of the brassica variety (kale, cabbage, broccoli, mustards etc.). However, these active pests do not discriminate and will munch upon the young growth of many crops, leaving tiny pinholes that will eventually make your plant leaves resemble lace doilies.
There are many species of flea beetles that specialize in destroying particular crops. The species I encounter the most is the shiny black beetle pictured a
bove. So far this season they have taken a toll on braising mix, arugula and radishes. Prevention: Tightly sealed row covers (without holes!) help keep these buggers at bay while seedlings are most fragile. Once some plants get past seedling stage they are less susceptible to damage from flea beetles. If you're into spraying stuff, Sevin is the conventional growers' choice. Organic growers can spray with Pyganic(more on this later), Surround, or Entrust, which I don't know a lot about (look for "good insecticide bad insecticide" the blog...coming soon?). Color they turn your fingers when you squish them: I haven't been able to catch one of the jumpy bastards just yet. But when I do...
Good beetle or bad beetle: BAD
