Does anyone have any in depth information about these beetles? I am an urban farmer growing in high tunnels and I am looking for creative ways to control these pests from peoples experience. I dont have money to buy row cover and do not want to use any organic pesticides. I have been picking them off by hand but that is so time consuming. I am wondering if there are any herbal ways to control them? anything that google might not suggest? Help! I also want to work now to prevent them from being a problem in the future. I only have so much space to grow and most crops need to be a cash crop. I try to inter plant and create habitats within my tunnels to encourage biodiversity. Just anything creative would be helpful. Any tricks or stories that might help? Please share anything thank you. THey are my only pest problem in my high tunnels.
Are you talking about Harlequin Beetles (Acrocinus longimanus), or Harlequin Bugs (Murgantia histrionica)? I get Harlequin Bugs on my plants only when they are stressed, generally from heat or drought. So I see the bugs as a sign that my plants aren't happy. Once the conditions improve the bugs disappear. Perhaps your tunnels are too hot? Too dry? Too wet? Soil deficient? Could be any number of stressors.
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