Q:Β Since there are so many fig beetles this year, I wonder if I need to treat the soil with nematodes to stop the larvae from eating my vegetable roots. What do you advise?
A:Β The fig beetle (Cotinus mutabilis), also known as figeater, June beetle, green fruit beetle, or June bug, isnβt as harmful as you might expect. The adults that are plentiful now are seeking nectar and fruit juice from wherever they can. They arenβt the best fliers and so we find them crashing into things as they search for food. I found them very entertaining while eating outside this week. Not every restaurant patron is as excited to see them though so itβs fortunate they wonβt be around for very long. They are attracted to ripe figs, as their common name suggests, although they are more likely taking advantage of holes in ripe fruit made by birds and other animals. They can be found on a wide variety of plants including fruit trees, flowering landscape plants with accessible nectar, tomatoes, and cacti. Their larvae are often found in garden compost and other decaying organic matter. They donβt feed on roots like their relatives back east so you donβt need to treat the soil to control them.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed toΒ tucsongardensage@gmail.com
