Damaged hollyhocks - Ask Extension
Tiny shiny black beetle like creatures damaging hollyhocks
Knowledgebase
Damaged hollyhocks #878866
Asked July 26, 2024, 11:04 AM EDT
Tiny shiny black beetle like creatures damaging hollyhocks
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Would you be able to send us a photo of the insects you are seeing? Some known beetle pests of hollyhocks are Japanese beetles and longhorned weevils, but we would need to see a photo to determine what is actually there and how to manage it. You can attach up to three photo files here and we can take a look.
Christa
Christa
Enclosing photos
Your plant is not a hollyhock but a type of perennial Hibiscus that returns each year (and is easier to grow here as hollyhocks often have trouble with a damaging rust disease in our area).
It is a Maryland native plant and it looks like the insect is a type
of flea beetle which you can see here: https://bugguide.net/node/view/2285614/bgpage
It is not in a species we see often, but it is also likely to be native and has evolved in harmony with other flora (like the Hibiscus) and fauna for eons, so it going to damage the plant or be of concern.
That is a beautiful color too!
Christine
It is a Maryland native plant and it looks like the insect is a type
of flea beetle which you can see here: https://bugguide.net/node/view/2285614/bgpage
It is not in a species we see often, but it is also likely to be native and has evolved in harmony with other flora (like the Hibiscus) and fauna for eons, so it going to damage the plant or be of concern.
That is a beautiful color too!
Christine
Thank you! I really do know it is a hibiscus. The ongoing heat has gotten to me in many ways.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 29, 2024, at 4:09 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
You're welcome and we understand!
Stay cool.
Stay cool.
