13 Aug 2006
Japanese beetle testing urged in Billings

Landscape plants? Whatever - tell my neighbor his soybeans are "landscape plants" and watch him laugh. I'll bet he'll lose a quarter of his yield this year to the little bastards. They really like cornfields too - and apple trees. They also seem to munch alfalfa, but only if nothing else is available.

I wish Montana the best of luck in keeping them out: they're about the biggest insect pest in Indiana, and can do some serious damage.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is encouraging landowners in an area south of the Billings, Mont., airport to use special insect traps to check for the presence of Japanese beetles, an insect that damages lawns and landscape plants and could increase operating expenses for commercial nurseries.

(link) [The Prairie Star]

07:31 /Agriculture | 0 comments | permanent link