Consider the appearance of red bugs on flowers as an alarming signal. Crioceris merdigera (Lilioceris merdigera) is a beetle whose name may sound friendly, but its presence in the garden seriously damages ornamental and cultivated plants. The season of increased activity of this pest is just beginning. Read about its characteristics and how to control Crioceris merdigera to protect your crops.
Crioceris merdigera – what kind of pest is it?
This beetle from the almond family is hard to miss. The red armor stands out against the background of foliage – the length of the elongated body of adult beetles is approximately eight millimeters. The name comes from the specific behavior of Crioceris merdigera. When it senses danger, it makes a characteristic crunching sound by rubbing its belly against its eyelids.
Crioceris merdigera feeds on plant leaves, making large holes in them. If the gardener does not react, the flower not only loses its aesthetic value, but weakens and dies over time. The larvae are extremely voracious, live on the underside of the leaves and can devour the entire plant in quick succession.
The time of pest activity has just begun
Adults can overwinter in the soil. They do not have high demands and climb out of the ground as soon as it warms up. Increased activity of Crioceris merdigera can be observed already in April, sometimes even at the end of March. The egg-laying cycle continues until mid-summer, so gardeners must be extra vigilant during this period.
Crioceris merdigera feeds on more than just lilies
From the pest’s name alone, one would expect that its most desirable bite is the bright lilies. He also lives off the imperial crown. These two species become targets for egg laying. Unfortunately, there are other plants on Crioceris merdigera’s menu. These include lilies of the valley, onion flowers, but also onions, chives and asparagus.
Crioceris merdigera larvae damage both ornamental and wild lilies.
How do you recognize the presence of Crioceris merdigera?
Adult individuals are the easiest to spot – the red color of the carapace contrasts sharply with the leaves. Crioceris merdigera’s symptoms of heatstroke do not end there. If the plants start to wilt visually, look at the underside of the leaves.
The eggs laid by the female are orange-red in color and arranged next to each other in a row. There can be several dozen of them on one sheet. Larvae, on the other hand, are relatively long and thick, characterized by a black head and a reddish-brown body. They are usually covered with dark mucus. Round holes gnawed into the leaves indicate that the young sycamores have begun to feast. Pests multiply and move quickly, so not only individual plants are at risk, but also entire beds.
Elimination of crioceris merdigera
Some people choose to catch adults by hand. It is a difficult task and does not always bring the desired effect. When the beetles sense danger, they make a characteristic sound that warns the rest of the population. Honeybees take to their heels temporarily, so picking them up is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Some gardeners put on gloves and also collect eggs and larvae, but this is strictly an emergency measure.
You can supply specialized preparations for plant protection. However, it should be remembered that they are not always effective and that the larvae are very resistant to their effects. Nothing prevents you from trying the home method of getting rid of crioceris merdigera.
- Finely chop six heads of garlic or press them through a press. You don’t have to peel them.
- Place them in a bucket or large pot and cover with five liters of water.
- Leave for 24 hours.
After this time, pour the decoction into a spray bottle and apply it to the affected plants. The properties of garlic have an irritating effect on pests. Repeat the process every week until they disappear from the beds and flower beds.
The properties of garlic have an irritating effect on pests.
