Variety of beetles finding their way to farms and gardens

AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine (WAGM) -

Some familiar, and not so familiar, pests have appeared in County farms and gardens this summer.

Jim Dill, Pest Management Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, says potato beetles and other insects have been spotted in some farm fields and private gardens in Aroostook.

“We’ve seen Colorados. Interestingly, this year I’ve actually seem some other beetle problems on potatoes. One is a three-lined potato beetle, as well as the Colorado Potato Beetle. And another one is called the Mottled Tortoise Beetle. And it is normally – what we’ve been finding it on mostly has been tomatoes,” says Jim Dill.

Dill says it’s that time of year for the beetles to be mating and laying eggs, so gardeners and farmers should be on the lookout. He says there are a variety of insecticides, including organic, available to help combat the pests.

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