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Geraniums Can Help Control Japanese Beetles
Published Tuesday, March 09, 2010 at 05:13 AM
The Japanese beetle feeds on nearly 300 plant species including ornamentals, soybean, maize, fruits and vegetables. For the ornamental plant industry alone damages are estimated at 450-million dollars each year. But, scientists with the Agricultural Research Service believe that geraniums may hold the key to controlling the Japanese beetle

ARS scientists have found that within 30 minutes of consuming geranium petals, the 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. That’s because predators spot and devour the beetles while they are helpless.

The question remains, how to utilize geraniums to better control Japanese beetles.

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