Die beetle, die!!!!!

[ladylouise62]

A little 'extreme' you may say, but I am on the warpath for this little critter.

I've not worked out what it is and frankly, I don't care. All I know is that it has turned a lovely big bush into a lacy lump of crunchy brown If you go for it it acts dead and falls to the ground, but is quite capable of flying off if it wants to, so
I've been holding a soapy-water bucket under it, knocking the branches and then quickly pushing any that land on the sides of the bucket (preference would be to take the time to lay a big sheet underneath to collect them, but as they can fly (and run rather speedily!).....
It's big bush so I'm probably swimming against the tide, but reading about what these types of beetles do, if I chop off the new shoots in the early spring, that will hopefully get most of the new ones. I hope.

Grrrrrr!!!!

[Chocky]

Looks like a Leaf Beetle of some sort and there are loads. Hope you get it sorted

[Catherine]

From what you say, Louise, it might well well be a Click Beetle - The RSPB: A to Z of a Wildlife Garden: Click beetle

If you don't mind using them, there are insecticides which could solve your problem. Check at a garden centre, taking a trapped bug with you for ID..

The only beetle-type pests we encounter here are Vine Weevils - probably the most unwelcome of plant-eating insects. Although we care for most wildlife, we don't think twice about using an insecticide in their case. Sometimes they are the last resort, but often they are the only solution.

[ladylouise62]

Thanks for looking, but no, it doesn't seem to be them - they literally just drop like Vine Weevils or fly off.