Harlequin Flower Beetle: Garden Friend or Foe?

Garden Friend!!!!!! ....... Mostly.... Read more to find out why we labeled the Harlequin Flower Beetle a garden friend while also acknowledging that it does harm some of our plants.

The Harlequin Flower Beetle (Gymnetis thula and related species, depending on location) is a colorful, fast-flying beetle that often appears in gardens during the warmer months. With its distinctive spotted or mottled pattern and buzzing flight, it can sometimes alarm gardeners who aren't familiar with it. Fortunately, these beetles are usually more friend than foe.

Is the Harlequin Flower Beetle Beneficial?

In most cases, yes. Adult Harlequin Flower Beetles feed primarily on pollen, nectar, overripe fruit, sap, and decaying organic matter. As they move from flower to flower, they can contribute to pollination, helping many flowering plants reproduce.

Garden....... Foe!!!! Wait... AND Friend!!! Wait... but why?

So like many other times we've discussed moth's and their larvae, we generally list them as both garden friends and foes. Here is a quick reminder why:

Although the larvae of moths (frequently called worms or caterpillars) are generally destructive to food crops, the adult moths are beneficial nocturnal pollinators. We always want to support our pollinators and beneficial insects. But, these caterpillars can be super destructive to plant foliage. Plus they host on numerous vegetable crops. What should we do?

First let's learn about the moth and caterpillar. At the end I will discuss management methods. Or you can skip there now if you want.

Saltmarsh Moths have a wide range from Central America all the way to Canada. Some people call them woolly bear moths because of the numerous hairs on the mature instars. But, Woollybear Caterpillars is a name…

Scale Insects are a gardening Foe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scale insects are a diverse group of small, sap-feeding pests that can cause significant damage to plants in Florida landscapes. These insects are known for their protective coverings, which can make them difficult to detect and control. They affect a wide variety of ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs commonly found in Florida gardens, often leading to issues such as yellowing leaves, dieback, secondary mold infestation, and reduced plant vitality.

Scale Insects are divided into 2 main categories - armored and soft bodied. Armored scale have, as you would imagine, a hard waxy covering that is also made up of previous cast skins. This "armor" protects the insect and a female's eggs, which are laid just under the armor. Adult armored scale generally do not move once they begin to feed. They are smaller than soft bodied scale. Lastly, they do not produce honeydew as…

Coming soon! Check back or watch the video below for some info until we add a full forum post