Question
Mike,
I have been in the PC Business for 37 years and have a degree in Ag. from U. Tn. with entomology courses. I have found a black beetle on my lemon tree in SW Fl. If you tilt him back and forth there is a slight tint of metalic. I know what Jap beetles are and unless this is a juvenil it is no Jap beetle. My tree is in bloom and I do not want to kill the blooms or the bees that are polinating them. The beetles seem to be eating the blooms. What are they and how do I control. Affraid to use pyrethium, may kill the bees. Would a little 5% sevin dust do the trick and keep the bees away until I can wash the sevin off?

Answer
George, black turpentine beetles are common in Florida, but keep in mind there are over 50,000 species of beetles in the U.S. alone, so if you really are curious, my advice would be to trap one and take it to the local agricultural department in your area for a positive ID.

Regardless of the species, sevin is a highly effective control. I always prefer to start with organic controls, but of all the chemicals, sevin is the safest. As with all insecticides, it is a contact control. Therefore, it will kill bees in addition to the beetles. Bees do tend to sense when a plant has been treated and will most likely stay away, which will give you time to wash off the dust in time for them to still pollinate.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike