Geraniums that Kill Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles, the scourge of gardeners across the country, could soon be on the verge of extinction, thanks to the common ornamental geranium, Pelargonium zonale.  Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service have found that if Japanese beetles consume geranium flowers, they are paralyzed within 30 minutes, and the condition lasts for several hours.  Although the beetles eventually recover, under field conditions they usually die because predators spot them and devour them readily.

Although scientists have known for decades about the effect of geranium petals on Japanese beetles, researchers are now working to isolate the geranium compounds that paralyze the beetles ... and they're pursuing patent rights on a possible new pesticide that could be used in Japanese beetle control, which costs the ornamental plant industry nearly $500 million in damage a year.  Gardeners, of course, would far prefer a natural spray that worked to picking them off by hand!

(photo: Stephen Ausmus, USDA:ARS)

Comments

[Annelie]

OMG, this is HUGE! If you only know how much I hate those beetles. Now I want to replace my lawn and every plant with geraniums. I thought we had nothing on those.

[Karen]

Glad to hear the humble ornamental geranium works against Japanese Beetles in the garden. I can certainly attest to using geranium oil as an insect repellent. I've used it on me and my dogs. It really does keep biting insects at bay.