Selfsufficientish.com

This is a rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana):



I spotted them a few weeks ago. Yesterday I managed to get an identification and confirmed that, despite their beautiful shell, they are a pest on rosemary, sage, russian sage and thyme, all of which I have growing in my herb garden.

I've put a bit more information on my blog, including a link to an RHS information page that includes a form for reporting the spread of this recent introduction to the British Isles.

Prettier than slugs, they are now definitely on my squish list!

Wulf

Shame it's such a pest as it is such a beauty! Thanks for the info Wulf.

Someting eats rosemary! exclusively thats one tough beetle

Whilst not welcoming them - they are pretty!
Having just filled the green wheelie with just the overhanging part of Rosemary (to save the postie being lacerated by her) maybe they could help keep her in check - just so long as they dont start on Myrtle as she's struggling for some of the light that Rosemary keeps for herself.

Will the birds eat them?

Do I sound like a tree hugger ?

I think introducing rosemary beetles to keep your bush trimmed makes about as much sense as sending cane toads and rabbits to Australia

But, don't worry, I'm using a 100% organic control method known as "my thumb" and I've noticed that the local ants are quite happy to recycle the remains.

Wulf

wulf wrote:I think introducing rosemary beetles to keep your bush trimmed makes about as much sense as sending cane toads and rabbits to Australia

But, don't worry, I'm using a 100% organic control method known as "my thumb" and I've noticed that the local ants are quite happy to recycle the remains.

Wulf

wasn't me guvnor - i is innocent

introducing foreign fauna is generally a bad thing - just look at all those lizards in parliament