I've found a lot of spotted lantern bugs on my flowers.
How can I get rid of these.
Knowledgebase
Spotted Lantern #875882
Asked July 03, 2024, 8:19 PM EDT
I've found a lot of spotted lantern bugs on my flowers.
How can I get rid of these.
Livingston CountyMichigan
Expert Response
Are you able to upload a picture of the insects? Spotted lanternfly are not known to be found in Livingston Co and feed on tree sap rather than flowers.
An insecticide that has a pyrethroid as an active ingredient (they usually end in -thrin) will typically kill insects on contact. However, without knowing the kind of insect on the plants or whether it's beneficial/pest, I would wait to use any insecticide.
The lily leaf beetles make it difficult to grow lilies when they are found. That lily is probably not worth treating at this point in the season. For next year, Contact insecticides are the only other option besides handpicking. Products containing permethrin, cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, pyrethrin, spinosad and other insecticides labeled for ornamental use have shown the most effective control. Azadiractin (neem oil) products and insecticidal soaps have also shown some control of young lily leaf beetle larvae. If using an insecticide on flowering plants, read the label to follow directions and avoid exposure to pollinators.
The shiny green beetle is Japanese beetle, and they are common to encounter. They aren't the best flyers and can be handpicked. Since they are generalist pests, they can feed on a variety of plants. The same contact insecticides that kill lily leaf beetle could also kill Japanese beetle.