The May beetles themselves are harmless to potatoes, which cannot be said about the larvae.
Insects appear in late April and early May. During this period, one female can lay up to 70 larvae in open ground.
May beetle larvae
They appear a few weeks after laying eggs. In the first year, they consume organic remains that are in the ground.
In subsequent years, their chewing apparatus develops well. During this period, they feed on plant roots and tubers.
During the summer, the larva can move up to 100 m and remain at a depth of up to 1 m (depending on weather conditions).
Only in the 4th year does the larva turn into a beetle, which will wait until spring and crawl to the surface.
How to protect potatoes from cockchafer larvae
Some summer residents, when the situation is very serious, use insecticides and bacterial preparations that kill the larvae.
An alternative option is folk tricks. There are 4 ways that will help protect potatoes from the offspring of the cockchafer.
1. Garlic infusion. Grate the vegetable and then pour boiling water over the mixture. Leave for several hours, then strain and water the potatoes at the root.
2. Infusion of couch grass. The weed is torn, crushed and poured with boiling water. After infusing for several hours, it is filtered and the plants are watered.
3. Burdock infusion. The principle is the same as with garlic and couch grass.
4. Onion infusion.
Some summer residents combine folk remedies and special preparations when potatoes are mercilessly destroyed by the larvae of May beetles.
