Knowledgebase
Magnolia pest #870518
Asked May 28, 2024, 8:35 PM EDT
Can you help me identify these and tell me how to treat? They are on my DeeDee Blanchard Magnolia. I have been alternating neem oil and malathion every two weeks. I haven’t seen the beetles until this week when it began to bloom.
Oklahoma County Oklahoma
Expert Response
This looks like the Flower Scarab beetle, Euphoria sepulcralis. It is common across much of the eastern half of the country.
The Flower Scarab beetle typically feeds on tree sap, many ripening fruits, and the nector and pollen of numerous flowers, and maybe other flower parts, but is not typically considered a harmful species in our area. It can be a pest of corn and roses, and in southern Florida on mango and avocado. It is also reported to be found near plant and tree wounds, and even hanging around compost piles and garbage.
There are no pesticide recommendations for this beetle. Most recommend just placing a white bucket with a few inches of water under the edge of the tree’s canopy, then simply collect, remove and destroy the beetles. This does not provide total control but does provide some relief from large populations. You can also take a bucket with soapy water in it, hold it under the cluster of beetles, and knock them into the bucket where they will then die. If the beetles are not causing any severe damage to the tree then I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you have other plants, like roses, tomatoes or fruit trees, then collecting and destroying them is the best option.